
Dear Family and Friends,
I am thrilled to share with you that my poem “I Am From” has been nominated for Publication of the Month by Spillwords Press! This recognition is an honor, especially, to be in the company of many talented writers. A huge thanks to Dagmara, her team at Spillwords, and to you for your amazing support by visiting Spillwords and giving my poem a ❤️ and/or leaving a comment. I appreciate you! 💝

Voting has begun and will conclude on Sunday, June 29th. I am asking for your support, but in order to vote, you’ll need to log in or register here: https://spillwords.com/vote/.
The winning publication will be prominently featured on the Spillwords.com sidebar throughout the entire month of July, gaining well-deserved recognition from our global audience. Below are the nominees:

I Am From
I am from my mom’s emotions
that had a mind of their own
so wild at times emulating a summer storm
I am from my dad’s humor
where smiles bloomed
but his temper too in my less patient moods
I am from flower petals I did not plant
Mom’s were nurtured – my thumbs weren’t green
yet the petals’ beauty is always seen
I am from butter, sugar (granulated and brown),
vanilla, baking powder and soda,
and nuts, yes, sometimes this is the case,
and chocolate chips in their tantalizing ways
I am from the moon in her mystery
The sun in his radiance
The lake in its serenity
I am from the well-liked and the shunned
the self-doubt lodged on my shoulders
the redwoods standing tall
I am from planned and spontaneity
clarity and ambiguity
I am from the Big Bear cabin on the corner
from laps and splashes in Orange County pools
I am from “When you have children, you’ll understand”
I am from two sanctuaries for finding God
to discovering faith near mountains and sand
I am from me
unique, quirky, strong, kind,
a used-to-be people-pleaser
the third of three daughters
I am from knowledge still pouring in
like a flood of surging waters
I am from gratitude for every little blessing
from those I love, from being loved
I am.
(Inspired by the poem “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon)

It’s never easy to ask for support, but I hope you’ll take the time to vote by June 29th, which you can do here. Thank you in advance, and I express my gratitude again to Dagmara and her amazing team at Spillwords for continuing to feature my work. It’s a privilege to be a part of her wonderful literary community. ❤️🙏

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
All Spillwords photos and nominee list
courtesy of Spillwords Press.

but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.💜
Congratulations.
Thanks, Sadje!
You’re welcome ☺️
That is wonderful, Lauren. Your poem touched me deeply when I first read it and it is well-deserving of this accolade!!
Thanks for your lovely words, Jan. They mean a lot to me. ❤️
Best of luck with this. I like the sound of the poem.
Thanks so much, Jacqui!
Fabulous validation for your beautiful poem, Lauren. I have voted, my lovely. Sending you much love, and hugs. Xxx 🩷🌻✨🩷
Thanks so much for your beautiful words and support, Jane. I’m sending hugs of gratitude! Much love flowing back to you! ❤️🤗🌷💐🙏❤️
Fabulous news, Lauren! Congratulations! 🥰
Thanks so much, Vicki! Hugs 😘💞
🥰
This is beautiful. I feel as if I have read this before? Or maybe it just sounds comfortingly like an old friend 😊
Thanks so much, Violet. I shared this on my blog before, so you may have read it. Then I submitted to Spillwords, and it was nominated. Very exciting to be among other talented writers. Thanks again for your lovely words. 💞
Congratulations dearest Lauren 👏👏👏👏
Thanks so much, Gabriela! ❤️🙏
My pleasure hon 🌹🌹🌹
💕🌷🙏
There you go being great again.
Oh my gosh, thanks, John! I appreciate your wonderful words!
You are very graciously welcome.
Congratulations Lauren 🎉❤️🎉❤️
It is a beautiful poem!
Thanks so much, Maggie! Big hugs, my friend! ❤️🙏😘
Big hugs back to you Lauren.❤️😘🙏
Well done, you. I have voted.
Aww, thanks, Darlene! You know I appreciate your support. And I just finished listening to your chat with Barbara. Loved it! ❤️
This is great news, Lauren!~. Congratulations!!!! Well deserved nomination!!!!
💗
Thanks for your wonderful words, Cindy! 💞🙏
Congrats, Lauren! I voted for your beautiful poem.
Thanks so much, Denise! I appreciate your support! ❤️
Lovely poem and I wish you success in the outcome!
Thanks for your lovely words and wishes, MLM. 💕
I wish you the very best, Lauren!
Thanks, GP! I appreciate your kind words!
Kudos on the nomination, Lauren, and best of luck on the voting. It’s a wonderful poem. 😊
Thanks so much, Mike! I appreciate your wonderful words. 🥰
Huge congratulations, Lauren!!!
Thanks, Rebecca! 💖
Great, Lauren! Hopping over to vote! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Thanks so much for the support, Marina! Hugs and lots of love! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
…and more hugs! xoxoxoxoxo
💜🌷xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
❤️💗🌸💗❤️
Yay! Congrats and I’m not surprised!
Thanks so much, Beth! I’m always surprised. 🥰
Congratulations! Well deserved.
Thanks, Elizabeth! Your kind words are appreciated! 🥰
Your source is well-versed here Lauren. This laurel, too, will be yours.
Thanks for your kind words, Raj! It’s always an honor to be nominated. Anything more is a bonus. I hope you’re doing well!
Congrats! 🎊
Thanks, Tina! 🥰
Many elements that make up beautiful you! Best wishes, poet Lauren. 🌟I enjoyed reading your poem. 👏🏻
Aww, thanks for your lovely words and wishes, Michele! 💝
You’re very welcome. 🩷💐
Congrats Lauren! I just voted. Beautiful words. All the best.
Thanks so much, Alegria! I really appreciate your vote and kind words! ❤️🙏
Congratulations on your nomination, Lauren!
Thanks very much, Liz! 💖
You’re welcome, Lauren!
Once again congratulations on this well deserved nomination.
Thanks very much for your kind words, Ian. I appreciate them!
Well deserved, Lauren! I voted!
Oh, thanks, Wynne! I appreciate your vote and support very much! 💕😘
I remember reading this lovely poem before. We are a product of many people, places, and experiences. I gladly cast my vote.
What a lovely thing to ‘say’ Pete! Thanks so much for your kind words and vote! I appreciate your support!
Congratulations, Lauren. Being nominated is a wonderful achievement already. Cheers!
Thanks, Hazel, and I agree about being nominated. It’s truly an honor. I appreciate your lovely words. 💞
It’s always my pleasure, Lauren!
Wow. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you!
Congratulations! I tried to vote but it won’t let me sign in so I’ll try again later.
Thanks so much, Pooja, and that happens sometimes. So frustrating, but thanks for trying again later. I appreciate it! 💖
It still didn’t work so I’ll try tomorrow or will just sign up with a different email lol. No worries at all! 💕
I’m sorry, Pooja. For some reason, it’s glitchy at times because I know others have had issues too. But I really appreciate your effort! Hugs 🥰
You’re most welcome, hugs 🤗
💖🙏
I was finally able to login and vote!
Thank you so much, Pooja! You rock! Have a great weekend! 🥰
You’re very welcome, have a great weekend too! 😊
Congratulations 🎉. I have been trying to vote without success. I click to vote and then a page shows up to register. I type Im my details but it gives an error message all of the time. Any solutions for this?
Thank you! Another friend is having trouble too. It happens sometimes, so my only suggestion is to try again later. Sunday is the last day to vote, so there’s still time. I appreciate you trying!
Congratulations, Lauren
Thanks, Robbie! 💞
Congratulations, Lauren! I’m on my way to Spillwords to vote. 💗
Thanks so much for your support, Eugi! I appreciate it! Hugs! 💖
You’re very welcome, Lauren.
❤️
Such a lovely way to honor you and this wonderful piece of work!
Thanks for your lovely words, Annette! 💞
congratulations, Lauren: I love the respectful acknowledgement to all the sources that made you who you are —
Thanks for your wonderful words, John. Greatly appreciated!
This is beautiful, Lauren. I remember reading this before and recall how much I liked it, and I’ve savoured reading it again. The poem is masterful in the way it invokes our history, ancestors, legacy, and the constancy of the planet around us.
Heading to Spillwords next. Congratulations and best wishes – and have yourselves a wonderful weekend! ☀️
Wow, Steve, your words made my weekend! I’m humbled by your beautiful description. And I feel honored to have your support. Thanks so much for your wonderful wishes and vote! Have a great weekend too! 🤗🙏😎
You are very welcome, Lauren! My comments are heartfelt, and I wish you good luck! 🤗
I’m so happy for you, Lauren! Your lovely poem deserves it.
Thanks so much, Dawn! I appreciate your lovely words!
Congratulations on the nomination, Lauren. That’s a wonderful achievement. I enjoyed reading your poem. ‘chocolate chips in their tantalizing ways’ You sure know how to write and write about things that resonate with us – chocolate chips are delicious. I also like how you ended with ‘I am from me.’ We are all who we are at the end of the day – simply, uniquely us. Special in our own way.
Thanks for your wonderful words, Mabel! I’m glad you liked my poem, and I appreciate your wishes too. Yes, chocolate chips are the best! Hope you have a good week ahead! 🥰
Hearty congratulations dear Lauren for the nomination. This is a great achievement. Loved reading your poem. You know how to write beautiful poems. Keep it going. Thanks a lot.
Congrats on the nomination Lauren. I voted. Good luck. I loved it. We are from so much. 💜
Thanks for your lovely words and support, Debby. Greatly appreciated! 💞
Hugs Lauren xx
Hugs back atcha, Debby! 🥰
xx
Lauren, this is so wonderful and heartfelt. You captured your story with grace and depth. I’m so proud of you and cheering you on…
Congratulations …
Thanks so much for cheering me on and for your wonderful words of support, Willie! I appreciate them very much!
I couldn’t eave a comment over on spillwords, I forgot my password, but I left you a heart! Beutiful poetry Lauren, as always! Awesome, just like you! 💖💖
Thanks for your wonderful support, Carol Anne! You’re awesome too, my friend! 💕💫