Showing posts with label ornery poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ornery poetry. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Insecure Writers Support Group 2 July 2025

 

Image by Spike Summers from Pixabay
Happy Fourth of July for those who celebrate.

July 2 question - Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

I already write in multiple genres. It's unlikely that I'll try anything new at this point because I have too many irons in the fire. As it is, I doubt I'll ever bring most of the embryonic proto-stories I have in my idea bank to life because I'm always coming up with new ideas. 

Sometimes my ideas manifest as poems, and what are poems if not little stories? This is one of my poems that was accepted for the Soul Chaser anthology from Dragon Soul Press.

A Hard Lesson

Thinking ‘bout all the times that I drove in my car 

Belting out an ode to someone who I believed could set me free 

While lamenting the fact that our love could never be.   


It’s pretty fucking sad 

To want someone so bad 

While knowing all the while 

That you’re just not his style.   


How would I respond 

To someone behaving like me 

If she asked me what she should do.   


Should she give up on her dream 

Or should she try to see it through?   


I’d tell her limerence is a losing game 

Even if his soul is crying out, 

It’s nothing you can do anything about.   


I’d tell her to let it be. 

I’d advise her to set herself free.   


‘Cause he don’t even know you exist 

He’ll never know that you care. 

You can’t do a thing to help with his problems 

Except to send up a prayer.   


Leave it in the hands of the angels, 

Leave it at Heaven’s door. 

‘Cause there’s nothing you can do to see it through 

For this faraway man you adore.   


You need to take care of yourself, 

You need to learn to love you best. 

It’s better to live life alone and free 

Than limerent and always bereft.   


Let it be.

Set yourself free. 

Love yourself best, 

And you’ll always be blessed.

****************************

Yes, the poem is autobiographical. No, I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. 

Before this life has run its course, one of my intentions is to write a memoir about my struggles with limerence. 

Limerence masquerades as love, but it ain't love. 

Unless it's your intent to make me want to chew nails and spit fire, please don't tell me that "it's not too late to find love." Trust me, I am not looking. I don't know how to play that game, and I'm not interested in learning. 


If you'd like to pick up a copy of the Soul Chaser anthology, follow this link. It's just $4.99 for plenty of poems! It's available now. This is just the graphic I had handy.

books2read.com/DSPCHASER


Until next time.

Ornery Owl Has Spoken


Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors








Saturday, June 28, 2025

Soul Chaser Release Blitz #rabtbooktours

 


Poetry

Release Date: June 23, 2025



Poetry; a unique and beautiful way to express feelings and ideas. Weaving words into perfect poetic prose, these authors remind you of your childhood, bring comfort from the hardships of life, fiercely spur emotions, and tell tales of old. All lovers of poetry will find a favorite here!

Featuring the following authors: Lee Clark Zumpe, Nick Armbrister, Anna Ross, Toastingfork, K.J. Watson, LindaAnn LoSchiavo, David J. Vowell, Roxana Negut, Vanessa Bane, Cassandra Jones, Andrea Tillmanns, Mathew Anderson, Fariel Shafee, Davion Moore, Afshan Q, Korede Badmus, Cara Hartley, Tanya Fillbrook, and J.E. Feldman.



Excerpts


I am not a symphony

My brain is complete cacophony.

Don’t come into my head

If you know what’s good for you.

You’ll wind up both deaf and mad.

 

I could be a figurine

As long as the figurine you mean

Is the Venus of Willendorf.

She’s only 4.4 inches tall,

But just like Rosie, she’s got it all.

 

I am not a ballet.

If I even tried to play

At spinning pretty pirouettes

I’d wind up face-down on the floor;

Trust me, you don’t want to see more.

 

I am not a sonnet

About an Easter bonnet.

I could be a country song

About a love that’s gone all wrong.

That’s what romance has been for me.

 

I’m not what anyone wants me to be,

But I must accept being just me

Before the sun goes down on my life

And it’s too late for affirmation

Of the fine qualities I possessed.



About the Author

 


Ornery Owl is a wise old bird who seeks the truth behind the lies. She uses her observations to heal the wounded soul. In essence, she is the spirit of an odd little bird whose wings were clipped at a young age. She is at once a whimsical manifestation of poetic expression and a fierce protector of those targeted for derision by an angry and unsympathetic world. Depending on how you perceive her, she can be either a goddamned delight or your worst nightmare.


Follow Ornery Owl (AKA Cara Hartley)

Cara H and Ornery Owl Amazon Author Page

C. L. Hart Newsletter

(C. L. Hart is my fantasy, horror, and sweet romance author pen name.)

Naughty Netherworld Press Start Page



RABT Book Tours & PR

Friday, February 16, 2024

Friday Book Blogger Hop Special: Ornery's Gambit

        


Genre:

Poetry plus a supernatural coming-of-age story (vampires).

Buy Link:

https://amzn.to/3vz8uXw

Publication Date:

February 15, 2024

Ebook Price:

$1.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited

Book Blurb:

The poems, story, and thoughts included in this brief volume were inspired by the independently produced album Wayward and Upward by Spinoza Gambit. The story Prodigal Moon and the poem 401 Rush were included in the Wayward and Upward anthology published by Off Topic Press.

I opted to publish this book on my 59th birthday. It would be a wonderful gift to learn that my work inspired you or led you to learn more about the Wayward and Upward album and anthology.

With love,

Ornery Owl

Book Length:

49 pages


The First Line/Book Beginnings



 I was inspired by the idea of something that disappears and returns on a predictable schedule (the visible moon) and something that cannot return (a lost love.)


The Friday 56

What can I say, I'm generous. I'm going to give you the entire poem appearing on Page 24 of my manuscript.

Neon Skyline

I’m not going to deny

The neon skyline is pretty

I love looking at the city.

From across the lake, I could see the buildings at night,

Glorious as heaven.

I almost expected angels to take flight from the rooftops.

Does Heaven modernize

Maybe every 50 years or so?

Will I see a neon skyline when I arrive?

Angels in tuxedos and tails

Looking suave and cool.

In heaven it’s probably easy

To split your time between the country and the city,

And there’s nobody living in slums

Beneath the neon skyline.

Behind the impressive skyscrapers of Earthly cities

The homeless sleep behind trash bins

The alleys reek of urine and cheap wine.

The reality of the city

Isn’t all parties and glitter.

Take a look below the neon skyline

Open your eyes to what’s really happening.

Nobody deserves to live this way.

Maybe one day the neon skyline

Will light the way for the lost.


Book Blogger Hop



16th-22nd - Do you keep an active list of favorite authors—that you would spend your milk money on—to have it when they publish a book? (submitted by Laura @ Laura's Book Binge)

I kind of did that when I was younger. Not so much anymore. Now that I’m a highly esteemed author myself (ha—hardly!) I don’t really have time for it. I also listen to a lot more audiobooks now than I did when I was younger. I live out in the middle of nowhere, I hate regular radio, and satellite radio is too expensive.

You’d like to listen to audiobooks too, you say?

I’ve got you covered!

If you don’t already have an Audible subscription, click the link below to get started with your 30-day free trial. You’re welcome.

https://amzn.to/4bIRSgg





 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Ornery's Gambit Teaser Tuesday #rabtbooktours

Ornery Owl's Poetry Collection


Poetry

Date Published: 02-15-2024

Publisher: Naughty Netherworld Press


 

The poems, story, and thoughts included in this brief volume were inspired by the independently produced album Wayward and Upward by Spinoza Gambit. The story Prodigal Moon and the poem 401 Rush were included in the Wayward and Upward anthology published by Off Topic Press.

I opted to publish this book on my 59th birthday. It would be a wonderful gift to learn that my work inspired you or led you to learn more about the Wayward and Upward album and anthology.

 

With love,

Ornery Owl 


Excerpt

About Prodigal Moon

I was inspired by the idea of something that disappears and returns on a predictable schedule (the visible moon) and something that cannot return (a lost love.)


Prodigal Moon

Prodigal moon

You can spin me a silent tune

But you can’t return my love to me

I dare you to try

Catch him on the fly

Before he escapes ‘cross the sea 


Prodigal Moon

A short story about a long-lasting friendship.

Deborah Virgo and Valentins Hines met on the first day of summer 2017. The youngsters lived at the wrong end of Fox Avenue. The electricity had been turned off in Valentins’s house, but he didn’t mind sitting on the covered porch painting figurines. His mother, Doriend Hines, was gone most of the time, working at the Daily Grind Bistro or The Zealous Whistle Tavern or staying overnight with old folks who paid her under the table for her caregiving services. Doriend was a workaholic who would have been thriving monetarily if not for being a functional alcoholic and opioid addict with a love of gambling. 

Valentins was sitting on the porch at dusk, painting a vampire figurine for his haunted house, when a wraithlike girl with an alabaster complexion and waves of xanthic hair flowing to her mid-back entered the gate. She was wearing a knee-length olive-green gown that looked like it might have been all the rage in the 1920s and a pair of shiny, malachite-green shoes. 

 “Hello,” the girl greeted.

 “Hi yourself,” Valentins returned. 

“I’m Deborah Virgo. My family just moved into the house across the road from you.” 

“Valentins Hines.” 

“Could I see what you’re working on?” 

“Sure. Come on up.” 

The girl appeared to float just above the ground as she crossed the lawn. Her rose-colored lips bowed in a reserved smile. As she drew closer, Valentins noticed her unusual eyes. At first, he supposed that the rufous shade was a trick of the light, but the color remained constant when the battery-operated lantern shone directly on the girl’s face.


About the Author

Ornery Owl is a wise old bird who seeks the truth behind the lies. She uses her observations to heal the wounded soul. In essence, she is the spirit of an odd little bird whose wings were clipped at a young age. She is at once a whimsical manifestation of poetic expression and a fierce protector of those targeted for derision by an angry and unsympathetic world. Depending on how you perceive her, she can be either a goddamned delight or your worst nightmare.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

 

Preorder Link

Amazon

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 


RABT Book Tours & PR

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Another Autumn is Free April 14 thru April 18 #MFRWAuthor #MFRWHooks #8Sunday #SnipSun

   


Blurb
A mixed bag of poetry from the deranged brain behind Naughty Netherworld Press.

Excerpt
This is the second poem from Another Autumn.

Blotted Out

For Gem

beautiful sad eyes

you always seemed so aware

beneath the surface

darkness loomed inside your brain

overtook and erased you

Buy Link

https://bit.ly/AnotherAutumn

This book will be free to own from April 14 thru April 18. 

The usual price is 99 cents.

It is always free to borrow from Kindle Unlimited.

This month I gave the subscribers to my newsletter a free and exclusive poetry collection. If you enjoy receiving free literary goodies and mindless blather in your inbox, be sure to sign up now. 

What will be in the May newsletter? Even I don't know that yet, but I promise it won't be anything from the Whizzo Quality Assortment. Unless you're one of those odious people with a perfectly organized newsletter and a metric crap-ton of subscribers. In that case, prepare yourself, and when you're least expecting Crunchy Frog, expect it!

https://bit.ly/NaughtyNetherworldNews

The Hops You Want