
Memories that drench
your skin
in a coal black night…
Memories that crumble
you to the ground…
You can pack your boxes,
fill up your gas tank
or plug in the EV
and drive across country,
but those vivid scenes
and words that paint
bruises on your heart
will find your front porch.
They boast a built-in
navigation system,
so, it’s up to you –
freedom of choice.
You can let go.
Anything or anyone
unworthy
of your loyalty
won’t nest in your mind.
The road will be yours –
unending…
surrounded by beauty,
possibilities dancing,
the sky opening
around every curve
as Natasha Bedingfield sings
“Today is where
your book begins.
The rest is still unwritten.”
Choose wisely.
Do it for you…
because you are worthy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks so much for being here today. ❤️

we’ll find comfort in the photos of him by the tree,
wearing a Santa hat, or snoozing by the fire.
If you’d like to order a copy, or know someone
who would find comfort in this special collection,
please click on the link. Thank you. xo
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four poetry collections, a memoir, and her first children’s book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is also shared on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.
Wonderful words of wisdom, Lauren.
Thanks so much, Darlene! 💞
So true! As Charles Dederich said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” It’s not always easy to let go, though.
Thanks again, Dawn, and that is a great quote. But you’re right, it’s not always easy. I struggle with letting go too. Many times, my poems aren’t just for those who follow me, but they’re for me personally. ❤️
That is a great message in your beautiful poem.
Thanks so much! I appreciate your lovely words, Elizabeth! 🥰
excellent thoughts in this prose
Thanks very much, Yvette! 🩷
🙂
I definitely relate to “memories that crumble you to the ground.” Hugs.
Thanks, Teagan, but I’m sorry that line resonates. Although it resonates with me too. Hugs to you and thanks for stopping by. ❤️
A delightful and uplifting poem, Lauren.
Thanks so much, Robbie. I’m glad you enjoyed this poem. 🩷
wisdom is key here
Definitely! Thanks, Beth! ❤️
Much needed today Lauren, thank you for another wisdom filled write 🥰❤️🥰
Hugs and love to you xox
I’m glad this poem came in a timely manner, Maggie. I’m always here, my friend…Thanks always for your wonderful feedback! Hugs and love to you too!
XOXO ❤️🌷❤️
Lauren, you are so welcome !
Thank you too ❤️
Hugs and love back to you dear friend xoxo
💕💖💕💖
Maggie…💞🤗💞🤗💞
I’ve often said, “We have a choice to say yes or no to every decision, large or small, so we can shape our own future.” Your poem backs that up very well. It’s up to us to choose.
Wow, Anneli, thank you for such a wonderful comment! I appreciate it. ❤️
It is a beautiful and inspiring poem filled with wisdom. Don’t waste time on people unworthy of your loyalty.
Thanks for your wonderful words, Thomas. I’m glad you enjoyed this poem. 🙏
and oh, the temptation of the unwritten…
and the intrigue…❤️
Much life wisdom in this poem.
Thanks so much, Liz. ❤️
You’re welcome, Lauren.
A wonderful poem to live by, Lauren! 💕
Thanks so much, Cindy! I’m glad you think so! 🥰❤️🙏
Terrific poem, Lauren. Life is about choices. Some people choose to remain miserable instead of letting go.
Thanks so much, Pete, and well said. Letting go isn’t always easy, but it’s the best option in some situations for our well being. 🙏
Words of wisdom, Lauren. 💖
Thanks very much, Tina! xoxo
My pleasure. 💖
My dearest Lauren, this poem is stunning. I am not kidding. Thank you so much for sharing 🙏🌸🌹
Wow, Gabriela, thank you! Your words mean a lot to me! ❤️🌷🙏
My pleasure hon. Have an evening filled with love and joy 🌹❤️
❤️🌸❤️
I love this message, Lauren 🙂 xo
Thanks, Denise! I’m glad this poem resonated! 🥰❤️
What a beautiful message
Thanks so much, Ian!
This poem is amazingly written, Lauren. I know if the person is grateful or not, and I can always choose to be loyal or not. Life is a choice indeed. This road is ours, and it’s up to us when to stop, slow down, or go forward or crossing coz we hold our steering wheel– our life blessed by God.
I hope my words make sense🤭🙈 Happy Thursday, Lauren and stay blessed.
Thanks very much, Hazel, and your words make perfect sense. I thought our posts were on a similar page. Happy Thursday to you! 💞🌻
I’m glad to meet like-minded people as they say. My pleasure, Lauren, always.
Powerful! Thanks, Lauren!
Thanks, Wynne! 🥰
Soothingly profound thoughts at this point in time, Lauren. May your road ahead too be full of pleasant surprises, happier events and friendlier faces. 🙌
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Raja, and I wish you the same. 🙏🏻
A beautiful liberating poem Lauren
Thanks very much, Sadje! 🌸
💜♥️💜
💝🌸
very beautifull pic 👍
Thank you!
So very empowering! This was wonderful.
Thank you, Violet! I appreciate you saying this. 🌸
I remember I used to love Pocketful of Sunshine, sung by Natasha Bedingfield, song and lyrics, and the video too… so lovely! I added it to a post of mine back in 2016, I will look for it. Your poem is beautiful, Lauren, so well expressed… memories, words and scenes “boasting a built-in navigation system”. We somehow know it, rationally, that we always have a choice, most probably the energy of some things in the past just has to be felt and consumed, for us to be able to really let go and be left only with a nostalgic feel of those things… but it can all be a winding way to go. I also loved “won’t nest in your mind”, that is so true, perhaps that is where intention and determination come in. I wish you well, Lauren, smooth ways and gentle memories, hope and patience are always there for all of us 😊 💝
Thanks for your beautiful and thoughtful comment, Nicole. I love how you dive deep into the words and emotions. I emailed you back, and I wish you all the same and a wonderful weekend. Hugs 🥰🌻❤️
Timely to read this today, as I was going through photos the other night compiling images to use in our annual photo books I found I was overcome with emotion. My brother died in November last year, its like Christmas we were still numb, feeling heavier this year in a sense. . . Your words… reading these and then reading below them, let it go. I needed this reminder! ❤
Memories that crumble
you to the ground…
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother, Pamela. And though that line resonates, I hope the end of the poem brings comfort. Take good care. ❤️
It’s difficult to make that break sometimes, even if it is worth it.
So true, Binky. Thanks for chiming in, and have a great weekend!
Lauren, this is such a beautiful piece. I love this line
“The road will be yours –
unending…
surrounded by beauty,
possibilities dancing,
the sky opening
around every curve“
Every line is full of awesomeness! 💕
Thanks so much, Eugi! I’m so glad you love those lines. My son‘s photos really inspired me to write poems that would be uplifting. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. ❤️🎄
You are most welcome, Lauren, and a wonderful weekend to you too. 🎄💖
thanks Lauren for a great reminder, let go of the people who are not serving us well, let go of past traumas, or memories, and focus on today! Xoxo
Exactly, Carol Anne, and thank you!
💞🌸💞🌸💞
It feels like it’s been written for me Lauren 💙. Thank you for sharing your wisdom in such a lovely way. Sending you love for a great week my friend!
Beautiful poem, Lauren. These stanzas:
“You can pack your boxes… and drive across country, but those vivid scenes and words that paint bruises on your heart will find your front porch.”
My goodness, powerful and true.
Thanks so much for your wonderful and thoughtful comment, Edward. I appreciate it very much. 🙏🏻
You’re so welcome, Lauren. In case we don’t cross paths again this week, I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks, Edward, and I wish you the same. I actually just posted book reviews, and I have a couple more to post, along with a Christmas poem before the weekend. Time is moving faster than I am. 🙂 Anyway, a very merry Christmas to you and your family. ❤️
Your words ring loudly to me , Lauren.
It’s like they are a creed I’ve lived/learned by.
xoxox🌹❦
What a lovely thing to ‘say’, Resa. I need to heed my own words too.
Take good care, my friend. ❤️🤗 xoxoxo