Adam Fenner Reviews “Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine”

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry

I had just woken up and walked into the living room, grabbing my laptop on the way to catch up in the online world. And when I opened my blog, I was pleasantly surprised with a comment by Adam Fenner, letting me know that he chose my poem, “Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine” to analyze on his blog. What an honor and a nice surprise for this Saturday morning!

Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine

I know hearts can shatter if beaten down,
and souls can be crushed if pounded,
and those judging others
appear to be close-minded.
I believe people should live
the life they were intended.

I believe differences afford knowledge.
Why is violence the chosen solution
for those who loathe a culture or religion?

I imagine everyone opening their
hearts and minds…
Can you envision this landscape,
like spring blooming every day,
budding across borders and state lines?
A glorious bridge connecting us all…
if only.

I know the ideals of respecting
and accepting will stay models
to be repeated until the narratives
mend, and I hope they do,
because no one deserves to exist
beneath a cloud of pretense.
I believe all people should
have the freedom to live
within the arms of truth.

I can imagine how invisible scars
create hell for the heart.

I believe Love should remain
the center of all humankind,
but since hate continues to linger
on the streets,
here’s a question to ponder…
what should we do differently?

© Lauren Scott
From Ever So Gently

Adam’s Analysis

In “Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine,” the speaker presents a raw exploration of the painful divide between violence and love, offering a blend of personal convictions, reflections on the state of the world, and hopeful imaginings for a better future. The poem starts by acknowledging the harsh realities of human suffering, particularly the emotional and physical toll of violence. The speaker knows firsthand how hearts can shatter and souls can be crushed, painting a stark picture of the damage caused by judgment, hate, and fear. This sense of disillusionment sets the stage for the speaker’s deeper reflections on what could be—a world grounded in empathy, understanding, and love.

The structure of the poem mirrors the speaker’s thought process, alternating between declarative statements of certainty (“I know” and “I believe”) and more speculative, hopeful musings (“I imagine”). This shift is significant because it allows the reader to see both the speaker’s grounded understanding of the world and their desire to move beyond the pain they see. The first part of the poem starts with what the speaker knows, followed by what they believe, which provides a glimmer of hope amidst the violence. For instance, the speaker believes that people should live the life they were intended to, free from hate and misunderstanding. This idea of living authentically is an invitation to reflect on the deeper, more compassionate life that could be if only humanity embraced empathy and acceptance…

To read Adam’s full excellent review of my poem, please click the link below:

Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine – Review

I hope to see you at Adam’s site, and as always,
your visit is appreciated!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
Cora’s Quest, a children’s book, coming in December!

63 thoughts on “Adam Fenner Reviews “Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine””

  12. Adam knows well of which he speaks. What a thoughtful analysis. Congratulations on a wonderful review, Lauren. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a gift to be able to put goodness in the world; a gift that gives so much to both the recipient and the giver, as we see here. 🤗

    1. His analysis is impeccable, Steve, and this was a first review from him for me, so two surprises in one. I do agree with you “that it’s a gift to be able to put goodness in the world; a gift that gives so much to both the recipient and the giver, as we see here.” What a thoughtful and wonderful comment from you that I appreciate so much. Thanks for taking the time to read! 🤗

  20. What an honour to have a poem so deeply investigated and reviewed. You must be thrilled.

    I enjoyed Adam’s analysis, and left a comment on his wonderful post.

    🤍🕊❦xo

    1. Oh, wow, thank you, Debby! Your words truly warm my heart. And I’m sorry for the late reply; you were in spam again. So strange and annoying, and I need to remember to check spam. I always forget! 🙂 Anyway, thank you so much for your lovely comment! This was a first of Adam’s reviews of my poems, and I hope he does it again. Incredible analysis. xoxox

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