I am so honored to host my friend and fellow Story Empire colleague, Harmony Kent, here today with her new book of poetry for the soul! I have read this beautiful book, and she touches on every aspect of grief with raw honesty. But I’ll let her tell you more.
Hi, Jan.
Thanks so much for hosting me today.
It’s always wonderful to visit with you.
Here’s a little bit I’d love to share about my latest book of poetry, Sorrowful Soul. Full of freestyle poems, which provide company and compassion through the devastating journey of grief and loss and onward, this heartfelt collection shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone.
Since Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s excellent book on the stages of grief, we now have an established set of seven stages to the grieving process. Although these stages are non-linear and can be revisited at any time, it’s helpful to have a rough idea of what we might expect during this difficult period of transition. The first stage is commonly known as Numbness or Shock and Disbelief.
Here’s an extract from the opening lines to a poem about shock …
From Part 1: Shock & Disbelief
(Extract From Aftermath)
After the earthquake subsides
Craters and unexpected bumps
Leave once familiar terrain
Strange and filled with danger
At any moment my feet may stumble
And bring me to my knees
This devastating upheaval
Struck without warning
Made rubble of all I had created
With such love and care
And now I don’t know what to do
How to walk or talk or carry on
How did this happen?
Other losses and unexpected changes, besides the death of a loved one, can catapult us onto this journey of shock, denial, resistance, etc., and on toward eventual acceptance. What are your experiences of this process? Chat with me in the comments. I hope you enjoyed this poetic excerpt and would love to know what you think. Thanks for reading ?
About the Book:
If we’re lucky, we meet twilight at the front door and old age creeps in on the night breeze.
Even if we make it to our twilight years, the more we age, the more loss we must endure as part of the cycle of life. Many of these poems lament death, but they also relate to broken relationships, severed friendships, and the loss of youth. This book of grief poetry is as much about saying goodbye and working through loss as it is about death and love split asunder.
This heartfelt collection provides company and compassion through the devastating journey of loss and shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone. Within these pages we share shock, numbness and denial, catapult into anger, bargaining, depression, loneliness, and guilt, and—eventually—make the seismic shift into testing the possibility of a new normal and finding acceptance.
Universal Sales Link: https://mybook.to/SorrowfulSoul
About the author:
Harmony Kent spent 13 years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, where she faced her demons and overcame devastating low self-esteem, and found freedom. After a life-changing injury, Harmony returned to the world at the tender age of 40, and her life as a writer began.
Harmony is an award-winning multi-genre author, and her publications include:
The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved
The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree/New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015
Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015
Finding Katie (Women’s Fiction)
Slices of Soul (Soul Poetry Series: Book 1)
Life and Soul (Soul Poetry Series: Book 2)
Sorrowful Soul (Soul Poetry Series: Book 3)
Interludes (Erotic Short Stories)
Interludes 2 (Erotic Short Stories)
Moments (Short Stories and Poetry)
Jewel in the Mud (Zen Musings)
Polish Your Prose (How to Self-Edit)
Creative Solutions (Creative Writing Inspiration)
Backstage (Erotic Romance and Thriller)
FALLOUT (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia) BRAG Medallion Honouree
The Vanished Boy (Psychological Thriller)
As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers reviews and supports her fellow authors. Harmony is always on the lookout for talent and excellence and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes.
twitter: @harmony_kent
Goodreads: Harmony Kent
BookBub: Harmony Kent
Story Empire (co-authored blog): Harmony Kent
Harmony’s Amazon Author Page: author.to/HarmonysBooks
You can read my 5-Star Review HERE
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Great to see you part of Harmony’s book tour Jan. I’m currently reading and savoring every poem in this beautiful book. Congrats again Harmony! Holiday hugs. <3
If you are like me, Debby, some parts of the book are difficult and painful to read. But it’s strange how, for me, even though it dredged up pain and sorrow I’d tamped down, I found some healing in it as well. I hope you do, too.
Thank you Jan. I know just what you mean. 🙂 x
Congratulations, Harmony! Your book is getting plenty of excellent reviews! I can see by the list you are a very accomplished writer! I’ll grab a copy of this latest. 🙂 Thanks for being a generous host, as always, Jan.
Thank you, Mark.
Another exceptional tour stop, Harmony. ❤️ Congratulations! Thank you for hosting, Jan. It warms my heart to see Sorrowful Soul in the spotlight, as it was an extraordinary read. Like you, I highly recommend it.
Thank you for adding your recommendation to this beautiful book, Gwen!
Thanks so much for your wonderful words, Gwen! ??
Hi Jan, this is a beautiful book. Thanks for hosting Harmony’s book tour.
Thanks for your lovely words, Robbie! ??
I completely agree, Robbie! Thanks for helping share!
Though grief is a part of the cycle of life, the emotions can rock us to our core. What a lovely excerpt, Harmony. I’m in awe of your journey in life. May you continue to bring light to others and hopefully others will shine their light on your path, too. All the best!
Right to the core. Thanks so very much, Mary! Hugs and best wishes ??
Thank you for your lovely comment, Mary. Harmony is a true inspiration!
What strong images that really show how it all looks after a loss, Harmony!
Thanks for hosting, Jan 🙂
Thanks so much, Denise ??
I completely agree, Denise. Harmony got down to the raw emotions of loss. Thank you for stopping by to support!
Great to see Harmony here, Jan, with her wonderful collection of poetry. A beautiful poem, Harmony that especially captures the disorientation of sudden loss. Congrats on an amazing tour, my friend. Thanks for hosting, Jan.
I agree, Diana. This poem captures the unfathomable response to sudden loss. Thank you for stopping by to support! Hugs!
Thanks so very much, Diana! Your kind words mean such a lot ??
I got glued to the fact that you spent 13 years in a Buddhist monastery. I feel drawn to Buddhism and think this must be such a life-changing retreat. But I always thought of about 6 months. So, 13 years is really long. Those demons got cleared out. Awesome!
It is so fascinating the different paths our lives take, but what all Harmony has been through rivals most. All of it gave her a deep insight. Thanks for visiting today, Erika!
I can imagine that she must have had a rocky road behind her that led her to that monastery. But in the end, she might be closer to herself than most of us.
Yep, that was a tough 13 years but so worth it! Clearing those demons changed my life. Thanks so much, Erika ??
It must have changed everything, your whole world view. I still think of taking such a time out. No noise around. Silence and no way out but dealing with yourself until you dropped stone by stone from your soul ?
???
A terrific excerpt, Harmony, and once again, like the others, you nailed the shock response perfectly. Thanks, Jan, for hosting
Thank you, John. I agree that Harmony drove the response deep.
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That is so good to know. Thanks so much, John, for all your support and encouragement ??
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What a lovely post Jan! I admire Harmony’s brilliant poetry. Thanks for sharing an excerpt that touches the heart.
I am in agreement with you, Balroop, about admiring Harmony’s exquisite poetry. Thank you for stopping by to help support her!
Thanks so much for your wonderful words, Balroop! ??
Best to Harmony with her new book. She has ten 5-star reviews on Amazon, all worth reading.
Well-deserved 5-Star reviews, Jacqui. When an author says Amazon reviews don’t matter, your comment is the perfect rebuttal to that statement. Yes, we look. And Yes, they matter! Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment!
Thanks so much, Jacqui. I’m thrilled with each and every single one! ??
This excerpt is powerful, Harmony! And can I say that it warms my heart to see that little bear? Reminds me of my childhood Teddy Bear.
A big thanks to Jan for hosting.
Awww, that is a sweet memory, Joan. Glad the little bear brought you a smile. Thank you for stopping by, visiting and sharing!
I think we experience grief over all sorts of things. Death, of course, but divorce, financial ruin, the sudden dissolution of a friendship, a fire… Your collection is amazing, Harmony, and comforting.
I 100% agree, Priscilla. Grief is not limited to the loss of a loved one. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
What a moving excerpt. I know I’m going to love this book! Best wishes to Harmony!
Thanks so much, Kymber! ??
I agree on all counts, Kymber. It is a very moving excerpt and YES, you are going to love the book! Thank you for visiting, sharing, and commenting!
Jan, thank you so much for having me over to visit today. It’s wonderful to be here! Hugs ??
It is truly a pleasure, Harmony. I know many will benefit from this beautiful book of poetry!
Thanks for hosting Harmony, Jan! I enjoyed the excerpt. Wishing her all the best!❤️
Thanks so much, Jill ??
So glad you enjoyed the extract! Thanks so much, Jill ??
It is truly my pleasure, Jill. Thank you for stopping by, sharing and leaving a comment!
Lovely excerpt from the collection, and looking forward to reading soon. congratulations Harmony and thanks Jan for the feature ♥
Thanks so much, Sally! ??
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Sally. You are going to love this poetry!
I am sure I will Jan ♥
What a lovely post for Harmony’s gorgeous new book, Jan. What an amazing life she’s led, and that follows through in her writing. Toni x
That’s so wonderful of you to say. Thanks, Toni ??
So true, Toni. Harmony’s life experiences shine through her poetry in a very deep way! Thank you for stopping by help support her!