Peace Not Perfection

  

Resolutions by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Making a resolution to set yourself up for disappointment year after year is the definition of both insanity and stupidity.

small changes are best

don't set yourself up to fail

peace, not perfection

notes

https://chevrefeuillescarpediem.blogspot.com/2012/11/carpe-diem-special-6-issa-years-first.html

This post discusses the work of Kobayashi Issa (1763-1823) and talks about reverence for the new year in classic Japan.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/2023-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-8

Today's prompt asks participants to write a sentence poem. It has been quite a while since I wrote a One-Bun. This piece came to me like a flash--like a vision. I just wrote it down. Then I chose an image from Unsplash. Then I added text art to that image using Pixlr. You are welcome to share the image, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl if you do. A link back to this blog would also be appreciated.

Over the years, I may have given the impression that I'm opposed to making New Year's resolutions. I'm not. I'm opposed to making stupid New Year's resolutions that benefit no one but the multi-billion-dollar diet industry. Stop giving those devils your money for crappy products that don't work. As for signing up for a gym membership, I'm all for trying to improve or maintain your fitness levels. Just do it for the right reasons, not to conform to a narrow standard of attractiveness. 

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Ornery Owl

"I resolve to keep improving my cooking skills in 2024."

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

Hangry Wyrm

"I resolve to be your taste tester!"

Free use image from Clker Free Vector Images

https://odysee.com/@superannuatedmusic:e/JIM-REEVES--distant-drums-:3?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

https://odysee.com/@superannuatedmusic:e/JIM-REEVES--according-to-my-heart--:e?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

Driving In Fog

Base image by Katie Mourn on Unsplash

driving into fog

claustrophobic, frightening

life's that way sometimes

notes

https://experiencewriting.com/2023/10/20/oct-20-prompts-in-a-thick-fog/

Write a poem about a time you’ve been lost or felt lost.

I interpreted the prompt more literally. I created a Haiga about fog and compared it to life.

I hate driving in fog. It terrifies me. I've noped out of driving in fog more than once.

I don't understand the love some poets have for spoken word prompts. There is a 99.9% likelihood that I won't do them. I think I have done exactly one spoken word poem on this blog in the ten years since I started it, and that one was at my own behest. If other people suggest such a thing, I'll dig in my heels. I really don't like the sound of my own voice.

I had a bad time with my vocal cord dysfunction last night. Most of the time the exercises to stop the laryngospasms work. Sometimes they don't. Last night was one of those nights. It was one of the rare occasions when I thought about taking the lone Valium I have left over from my dental appointment. I didn't do it, though.

I also wonder why society thinks anyone over the age of fifty should just give up on life if they haven't yet achieved what society would deem "success." What the hell are we supposed to do, curl up in front of the TV and watch game shows, infotainment, and soap operas till we croak? I'd rather keep writing even if everyone else thinks my stories are shit.

A favorite quote:

I'd rather fail with my own shit than succeed with someone else's. --Eddie Van Halen

Oh yeah, I added text and special effects to the base image using Pixlr. You're welcome to share the resulting Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl if you do.

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Image by christinecuisiniez from Pixabay

As an owlet, Ornery Owl didn't fear no steenkin' fog.

Then again, the contrary little cuss never had to drive in the soup.

https://odysee.com/@GamingAmbience:6/mass-effect-le-uncharted-world-chohe:3?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

Yellow Chrysanthemum

 

Base image by S. Tsuchiya on Pixabay

yellow like the sun

a lovely chrysanthemum

opens to the day

notes

Text art and effects were applied to the base image using Pixlr. You are welcome to share the Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl if you do. 

I thought the lacy white Scandinavian-style border worked nicely with the bright yellow flowers. I also felt the crisp white text was the best choice rather than playing around with gradients and outlines. 

Chrysanthemum is a frequent flyer prompt 'round the old Dark Hearts blog. I was inspired to pluck another one by a prompt from Carpe Diem Haiku.

https://chevrefeuillescarpediem.blogspot.com/2012/10/carpe-diem-15-chrysanthemum.html

Here are some previous chrysanthemum poems for you to check out.

https://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2017/09/30-days-of-haiga-2017-day-9.html

In some ways, this one is my favorite. It's a little bit cheeky and fun.

https://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2019/09/carpe-diem-weekend-meditation-102-renga.html

The chrysanthemum makes an appearance in this sextet of renga.

https://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2020/02/carpe-diem-tan-renga-wednesday-winter.html

Here is a renga about a winter chrysanthemum.

https://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2020/03/carpe-diem-tan-renga-wednesday-white.html

A renga featuring a white chrysanthemum.

https://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2022/12/learning-of-japan.html

This recent Senryu doesn't directly talk about chrysanthemums, but it was inspired by the image Child Dancing With Chrysanthemum Branch. So, the chrysanthemum sneaks in once again!

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

Ornery Owl dons her crown of flowers in honor of the chrysanthemum.

First and Last Memories: WEP Challenge

I can't remember

the first time I saw your face

I was a squalling goblin

I remember well

the last time I saw your face

your earthly struggle finished

I recall winter

a time of painful beauty

you always loved the holidays

42 words

For my father

May 31, 1936

-

November 28, 2010

With love from your Ornery daughter

Image by Gustavo Belemmi from Pixabay

I'll always remember the Christmas when I was 10 years old as the best Christmas ever. Somehow, everything just came together as it should that year.

The father owl in the image has bright blue eyes. My father had blue eyes as well.

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2022/11/wep-december-2022-challenge-first-time.html

 notes

Major points only, I think. The work is kind of personal.

The poem is a Choka, a form of Japanese poetry used for storytelling. I chose a 5-7-7 pattern for the verses.

https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/choka/

Learning of Japan

 

Child Dancing With Chrysanthemum Branch

American girl

forty-seven years ago

learning of Japan

~Ornery Owl Waxes Nostalgic~

Image by Hitesh Choudhary from Pixabay

notes and prompt link

https://dversepoets.com/2022/11/29/poetics-the-landscape-sleeps-ekphrastic-prompt/

Ekphrastic prompt with a selection of images to choose from. 

The image of the child dancing with chrysanthemums reminded me of being in fourth grade and studying Japan. This is where I learned my love of Haiku. My poem is not a Haiku but a Senryu. Anyway, that's my understanding of the matter. 

During our Japan studies, we went to a restaurant in downtown Denver called the Fuji En. Unfortunately, it closed many years ago. This was a real adventure for our class. The teachers wisely divided us into groups of six, each with an adult chaperone. We sat on the floor at our little table. My friend Kenny crawled under the table and popped out the other side.

Kenny was the class clown. He was a lovable goofball. Some pranksters have a mean sense of humor. Kenny didn't. He was kind to everyone. I wonder where he is now. I hope he's had a wonderful life.

There's a ghost of a ten-year-old girl who became a woman long ago enjoying lunch every day in a restaurant that has been closed for decades. Part of me wishes I could be in that happy moment forever. My childhood was more stressful than joyful most of the time. I'm usually stoic and snarky, but remembering this day has me shedding a few nostalgic tears. This time of year affects me that way.

Have some holiday music. 

https://odysee.com/@Aakash:d/relaxing-peaceful-music-with-fireplace:4?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

November PAD Challenge 2022: Day 30: And That's All

 

Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay

ashes to ashes

does something precious remain

the day the end comes?

~ornery owl has spoken~

Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay

notes and prompts used

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/2022-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-30

For today's prompt, take the phrase "And (blank)," replace the blanks with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem.

https://imprompt.wordpress.com/2022/11/30/day-30/

Write a small piece about a small thing worth more than its monetary value.

It's a bit obscure, but I actually did this. Few things have less monetary value than an ash.

Today's Playlist

https://odysee.com/@ambiencealchemy:2/cosy-christmas-ambience-snow-storm-and:5?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

"Well, that's a bit fucking FESTIVE after that gloomy philosophical shite, Ornery."

Yeah, I know. It's how I roll. I like to mix things up a bit.

November PAD Chapbook Challenge 2022 Day 2: Sweet Sugar Skulls

 

Image by Maria from Pixabay

skulls made of sugar

to honor those who have passed

will you remember?

Image by Schmidsi from Pixabay

Ornery Owl remembers those who have gone before with love.

The 28th of November marks the 12th anniversary of my father's passing.

Notes and Prompts Used

https://dversepoets.com/2022/11/01/poetics-dia-de-los-muertos/

I deviated from the prompt, which asked for a commemoration of a loved one who has passed. I did not focus on any specific person, but on the intent of Dia De Muertos. 

My artist friend Kamidiox. a native of Mexico City, says that the proper term is Dia De Muertos, not Dia De Los Muertos. The term "Dia De Los Muertos" is one of her pet peeves.

Kami created the following picture of my best friend Lafayette walking over the Rainbow Bridge with the beloved character who was his namesake.

You can commission Kami at the following link. Her rates are very reasonable.

https://kamidiox.carrd.co/

You can read a little about Lafayette and the charity I donated to in his honor here:

https://www.naughtynetherworldpress.com/2022/10/charity-sunday-black-cat-holistic.html

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/2022-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-2

Today's prompt asked participants to write a "sweet" poem.

I use Pixlr.com to design all my logos and banners. I find it much more pleasant to use than Photoshop. Plus, I'd rather not support a company that charges an arm and a leg and screws people who bought their older software in good faith. 

30 Days of Haiga 2022: The Truth of the Soul

 text

looking at faces

it is difficult to see

the truth of the soul

notes

This Haiga was inspired by the Poetics prompt from D'Verse poets, which asks us to contemplate good versus evil.

https://dversepoets.com/2022/09/27/poetics-the-good-and-the-evil/

I created the Haiga in Pixlr.com with a free-use image by Ulrich B on Pixabay.

https://pixabay.com/photos/composing-fantasy-mystical-3689029/

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but if you do, please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

Yes, I backdated this post. I finished and submitted my story submission for consideration in the Reign of Fire anthology from Dragon Soul Press and didn't feel much like writing poetry.

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Reflection

 

text

days spent exploring

contemplating lily pads

I miss the gardens

notes

This week's Wednesday Poetry Prompt from Writers Digest requests a Reflection poem, and I delivered it.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/wednesday-poetry-prompts-628

I never thought until now about the fact that the word "deliver" contains Liver. I wish I could go back to the moment before I realized that, but what has been seen cannot be unseen.

I created the Haiga in Pixlr.com with a free-use image by Couleur from Pixabay.

https://pixabay.com/photos/water-lily-lily-pads-pond-1857350/

When my son and I lived in the suburbs of Denver, we had a membership to the Botanic Gardens and we went there frequently. In the center near the Japanese garden, there is a pool with water lilies. There were often ducklings swimming there. Seeing the image of the water lily made me remember those days. It's something I miss. Now making a trip to the botanic gardens takes a lot of prior planning and I have to bring my walker with me. 

I love living out here in the middle of nowhere, but I miss the gardens very much.

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Image by Frank Michler from Pixabay

Listen to these beautiful chillhop beats while you read the post.

Here is the link in case you can't see the player.

https://odysee.com/@JustRelax:1/walking-above-the-clouds-lofi-hiphop-mix:a?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Knot of Tears

 

text

knot of tears wraps tight

I wish that I had gone too

on the day you left

notes

The Senryu was inspired by this week's prompt from Six Sentence stories. Yes, I know this is only a Three Sentence story.

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2022/09/18/sundays-six-sentence-story-word-prompt-230/

Prompt word: Knot

One of my favorite songs is Albatross by Judy Collins. It contains the line "the knot of tears around your throat is crystallizing into your design." I've always felt that line described me.

I created the Haiga with Pixlr.com and a free use image from Open Clipart Vectors.

https://pixabay.com/vectors/mermaid-boat-love-parting-sailor-156773/

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but if you do, please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog. 

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Love is Poison

 

text

is it chemicals

is there any depth to it

when you fall in love?

notes

This Haiga was inspired by the Tuesday Writing Prompt (words depth and chemicals).

https://godoggocafe.com/2022/09/13/tuesday-writing-prompt-challenge-september-13-2022/

I created the background in Pixlr.com with a free-use image by Arek Socha.

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/poison-bottle-medicine-old-symbol-1481596/

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

Also sharing with:

Haiku My Heart

corazon.typepad.com

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Unbedazzled

 

text

not so starry-eyed

don't try to bedazzle me

I am not impressed

notes

Today's jaded Haiga was inspired by this week's Moonwashed Musings prompt (bedazzle).

https://amanpan.blog/2022/09/13/moonwashed-weekly-prompt-bedazzle-september-13-2022/

The sparkly background was created by Gordon Johnson on Pixabay.

https://pixabay.com/vectors/rhinestones-gemstones-bedazzle-6844038/

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Honey and Peace

 

For greedy corporations and corrupt governments, it will be business as usual until it’s business no more because the sea has risen too high and all the bees are dead.

I would like the world to switch from fossil fuels to green energy.

Let the sun and wind heat our homes and recharge electrical batteries for our vehicles.

Let us make trains a viable means of transportation again so there is less reliance on automobiles.

Before I depart this world, I’d like to see the watermelon snow.

I’d like to insure the safety of the seed vault in Svalbard.

I’d like to save the sea ice, preserving the life of polar bears and penguins.

I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace.

we guard what we love

why do we not love the world?

it's our only home.

144 Words

notes

I created the Haiga with Pixlr.com using a free image by Peter Fischer on Pixabay. 

https://pixabay.com/photos/icebear-penguin-arctic-antarctic-3277930/

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

I used the following prompts in creating the Haibun.

https://dversepoets.com/2022/09/12/prosery-when-it-comes-to-katherine-riegel/

Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line from the poem.

“I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace,” from the poem What I would like to grow in my Garden.

https://earthweal.com/2022/09/12/earthweal-weekly-challenge-a-celebration-of-life-for-ice/

For this week’s challenge, contribute to a celebration of life for ice. 

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2022/09/11/sundays-six-sentence-story-word-prompt-229/

Prompt word: Guard

I hope my Haibun measures up to the challenges presented, more or less.

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Her Majesty

 

text

such a clever girl

she kept her heart to herself

as wise women do

21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022

notes

sketch of the Queen

https://pixabay.com/vectors/britain-british-elizabeth-halftone-1296168/

memorial banner

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/queen-elizabeth-queen-of-england-7441728/

I did not use any other prompts for this Haiga. I wanted to create a tribute to honor Queen Elizabeth II. I felt that the black and white illustration would work nicely with black text art, which I created using Pixlr.com. I also used decorative elements from Pixlr. 

To stave off accusations that my Senryu is flip, snarky, or a backhanded compliment, I assure you that my intent is none of the above. Because of the brevity of this poem form, I needed to distill my thoughts down to the most basic elements. As noted in Wikipedia, "Her cousin Margaret Rhodes described her as "a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved"."

I've always admired the Queen's thoughtful and level-headed approach to even the most difficult circumstances. I could never conduct myself in such a measured fashion. My blood runs much too hot. Although my public face is generally stoic and I don't tend to reveal much about myself, my stoicism has a bitter edge to it and when I do show emotion, I wear it all over the front of myself. 

Sometimes the Queen was accused of being emotionless or robotic. I never perceived her that way. In her position, it is imperative not to show weakness. She was always dignified, much more so than I ever could have been in her situation. I would not wish to be royalty.

Although I am not British, Her Majesty was a source of comfort to me. She was a benevolent constant presence in an uncertain world. I hope I have conveyed something of the respect I feel for her in my creation.

You are welcome to use the Haiga but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Ornery Owl wears her crown of flowers to honor Queen Elizabeth II

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Art is Life

 

text

Hippocrates says

art is long and life is short

I say art is life

notes

I created this Haiga using Pixlr.com and a free-use image by Engin Akyurt on Pixabay. Mr. Akyurt is the photographer. The mural artist is unknown.

https://pixabay.com/photos/bicycle-children-graffiti-art-3045580/

The following prompt from D'Verse Poets provided inspiration for the piece.

https://dversepoets.com/2022/09/08/meet-the-bar-with-aphorisms/

The assignment involved creating a poem using an aphorism. Poets could either choose between inventing their own aphorism or using an existing aphorism and reformulating it. The result is today's Haiga (Senryu).

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

also sharing with

corazon.typepad.com

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Atmospheric Rivers

 

Text

mercury rises

atmospheric rivers flow

with increased carbon

notes

This Haiga was created using Pixlr.com and a free-use image by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay.

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/earth-globe-water-waves-sea-lake-216834/

You are welcome to use the Haiga, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

A million thanks to Brendan from Earthweal for providing and explaining the term atmospheric rivers. His post is well worth the read.

https://earthweal.com/2022/09/05/an-atmospheric-river-roars-at-us/

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

30 Days of Haiga 2022: Esoteric Kaleidoscope

 

Text

vivacious color

streaming out from everything

what the freed soul sees

Click to enlarge the image. You are welcome to use this Haiga on your blog or in your book, but please credit Cara Hartley/Ornery Owl and provide a link back to this blog.

The Haiga background is a free-use image by Charles Thonney on Pixabay.

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/art-pattern-design-wallpaper-6845898/

I used the word prompt "vivacious" from Moonwashed Musings.

You may think this Friday poem appeared on Saturday. I assure you, it didn't. I would never do anything that sneaky. 

"I would do nothing that sneaky" sounds weird and stilted, ProWritingAid. I refuse to use that turn of phrase.

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

https://amanpan.blog/2022/08/30/moonwashed-weekly-challenge-vivacious-august-30-2022/

Once Upon a December: Beartown (Choka)

 

Image by Pezibear from Pixabay

the pure energy

from my creativity

as strong as a bear

unlock the magic

within the storytelling

let rise imagination

truth can never slip

from the grasp of one who knows

creative magic

there must be a place

where the bears live in bear town

a world where magic thrives

~ornery owl~

prompts

http://www.octpowrimo.com/2021/10/octpowrimo-day-19.html

https://godoggocafe.com/2021/11/27/brave-recklesss-creativity-prompt-challenge-once-upon-a-december/

https://imprompt.wordpress.com/2021/11/03/qnv-3/

Prompt: What gives you energy?

https://imprompt.wordpress.com/2021/11/04/qnv-4/

Prompt:

Write a minor myth

The Icky, Sticky, Nit-Picky Legalese If You Please (Or Don't Please)

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