"Odyssey in Progress" presents the life experiences of Sandra D. Brown through various styles of poetry. "Haiku #1" and "My Odyssey" serve as the starting points of Brown's poetic memoir. She becomes incarcerated for defending her life, but pieces such as "Truth or Dare," reveal that prison is but one of many misfortunes imprisoning her long before she was locked up. The writer eloquently speaks her pain, passion, power, and purpose in "A Prisoner's Medley," "Redeliberations," and "Final Thoughts." On a collective level, Odyssey in Progress raises awareness about the need to address and heal social issues that impact women and other marginalized groups in their quest for wholeness, freedom, and self-actualization. Such pieces include "'Fro Po,'" "Conversation with Rosa Parks," and "From the Mouth of an Unnecessary Target." In between socio-individual spectrums, "Haiku 6," "Vitalessence," and "Curiononsense," serve as reminders to just breathe and enjoy life on life's terms, as the ability to do so is required to empower ourselves and others. Lastly, Brown's passion for poetry inspired her to create pieces that celebrate the art itself. "Ode to Poetry" and "Gregory's Gift" celebrate the power of the pen for Brown, poets, and readers of poetry everywhere.
