When I think about the word fungi, ‘pretty’ doesn’t come to mind, and the same goes for fungus. But when I saw this gathering that grew on a rotting log while hiking with hubby, I thought they were unique and beautiful. How can we not appreciate nature’s gifts?

Reverence
A painterβs brush moves
across a clean white canvas
like an ice skater on a rink
where magic begins to happen…
just as nature dances
in sunlight and falling rain
creating artwork in lovely hues
and a myriad of shapes.
Her mystique gifts us
visual entertainment
unsurprising to the eye
and in unexpected places.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nature always inspires poetry, and I hope you enjoyed this piece.
Have a lovely weekend! β€οΈ
Β© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, is a recent Pushcart Prize Nominee who enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their daughter and son live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, this family of four remains close. Lauren has published four collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), Ever So Gently (2023), and King Copper (2025). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee. Her first childrenβs book, Coraβs Quest, was published in 2024. Lauren has been a guest on several podcasts, and 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 recent recipient of the Publication of the Year (Poetic) Award. Lauren is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is showcased on LatinosUSA and Gobblers and Masticadores. She is currently working on her second childrenβs book and another collection of poetry. Laurenβs muse discovers inspiration from family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

Nature can be so beautiful! The poem goes well with the photo. xo
It sure can! Thanks so much, Darlene! β€οΈ
Lovely imagery, Lauren. Mother Nature is beautiful in all her attires.
Thanks, Balroop, and so well said also! π»π
Love the poem and your beautiful photo, too. ππΊ
Thanks so much, Kymber! You never know what youβll find when youβre in the great outdoors! β€οΈπ»
I agree Lauren, they are beautiful and so is your poem π€π€π€
Thanks, Maggie! I havenβt written poetry in a while, so it was nice to become inspired. Sending lots of love and hugs to you, my friend. β€οΈπ·β€οΈ
You are so welcome Lauren.
Inspiration strikes when you least expect it π€.
Love and big squishy hugs to you dear friend π₯°β€οΈπ₯°
Exactly, Maggie! πππΊβ€οΈ
It is beautiful. I hope Crispina has a look at this- she loves fungi! Your poem was the perfect accompaniment.
I’m glad you like these too, Violet, and thanks for your kind words! I don’t know Crispina, so she may not follow me.
The prompts from nature are endless, and you’ve done a great poem from this one.
I agree about nature’s prompts, Anneli, and thanks so much for your lovely words.
A really unique and beautiful sight
I’m glad you enjoyed these, Sadje! Thanks for popping in!
Always a pleasure
Such a beautiful poem. I love the picture too. πΈ
Thanks so much, Holly! I’m happy you loved both! π π©·
I certainly did. Youβre an amazing poet. β€οΈπ€
Thanks, Holly! Coming from you who is an extraordinary poet, your words mean a lot. ππ
Ahhh! Thats such a lovely compliment dear Laurenβ¦ itβs mutual β€οΈπ·
Sending gratitude hugs, Holly! xoxo
Right back to you , Lauren xoxo
Nature, your photo and your poem…..beautiful, dearest Lauren. Xxxx ππ»πβ¨οΈπ
Thanks so much, Jane, for your beautiful words! Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and lots of love! xoxox π©·π·
π Lauren & Matt π
β€οΈπ·β€οΈ
your post, a feast for the body, mind and spirit
What a lovely comment! Thanks, Annette! ππΊ
I love the gorgeous fungi and you bring life to it with your poem, Lauren! Love the analogies and lovely metaphors.β£οΈπππΌ
Thanks for your wonderful words, Cindy, and Iβm glad you enjoyed this post! Nature is amazing, isnβt it?
β€οΈπ»β€οΈ
Oh Wow! Those fungis are spectacular. I agree, nature is a genius with creativity. Speaking of creativity, love the poem, “unsurprising to the eye,” absolute gold. Hugs C
I had a feeling these fungi would be popular, Cheryl! π Thanks for your wonderful comment, and enjoy your Sunday! ππ»π
Hi Lauren, I think a lot of fungi are very pretty. This one is no exception. A lovely poem to accompany your photograph. I finally got my review of King copper written and posted to Goodreads and Amazon.
I’m glad you like this photo, Robbie. I just thought it was so beautiful! And thank you for your kind words about my poem too. And a huge thanks for sharing your review. I saw a review on Amazon from Kindle Customer, but now I know it’s from you! I love it, and I’m so glad you loved the book. I’ll also send you my interview answers next week. π
Yes, I post as Amazon customer to prevent issues with the Amazon bots.
Oh, good idea! Thanks again, Robbie. I shared on Instagram and tagged you. Iβll share here when we do the interview. π·
I will include it in the interview post too π
I’ll reblog your post as well. π One thing I love about your review is that you highlight the Preface and Still Too Soon prose sections, which really add important context to the collection – the before, during, and after. So, thanks again, and have a good Monday! π
Iβm really pleased you like the review. They take me quite a long time to write so itβs nice when they are appreciated ππ
Iβm the same way. I canβt whip reviews out like some people can. π Yours is very much appreciated, Robbie! π
πΌπ
I have to agree about the beauty of that fungi.
I had a hunch these fungi would get lots of positive attention, Liz! π
Indeed, it’s a visual entertainment that you’ve captured, Lauren. And you accompany it with a beautiful poem. Happy Sunday, and enjoy nature.
Thanks for your lovely words, Hazel! I know you appreciate natureβs gifts as much as I do. Have a great week ahead! Hugs π₯°
A happy and blessed week to you, Lauren. Thank you and my pleasure.
I love your photo and your poem!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! Iβm happy that you do! π₯°π»
π
Beautifully done!!! Nature is an inspiration for sure. Most of my best work are influenced and informed by nature.
Thanks for your kind words, Dawn! A good amount of my poetry is also inspired by the great outdoors. Iβm glad you enjoyed this post! π₯°π·
What a gift you have creating a vision with words
Thanks for your kindness, Ian. I really appreciate your encouraging words. ππ
Good find, Lauren. Yes, fungus does not normally conjure up beautiful images. My toes are proof of that. π
Thanks, Pete, and thanks for the smiles. ππ
Nature is an amazing painter of beauty and that was a beautiful poem. The Wood-Decay Fungi are fascinating and I’ve often seen them in forests. However, your find is one of the most impressive I’ve seen. A great photo.
Lauren, nature is amazing with her artistry in different shapes and forms. Your poem is a perfect compliment to the image. πΊπ±π
Thanks for your lovely words, Eugi. Nature sure has her way, doesn’t she? π xoxo
You’re welcome, Lauren. π
I am always fascinated by the beauty that nature provides and your words support this beautiful find
I am too, Beth, and thank you for your kind words! xo
Found artistry, for sure! Gorgeous in every way! Thank you, Lauren!
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Thanks, Vicki, and I’m glad you loved this post! Have a good week! Hugs xoxoxo
You, too! β€οΈπβ€οΈ
There is endless beauty in nature that we often don’t even notice.
So true, Binky!
These are beautiful. They look like pretty skirts. Your poem captures the magic of nature. Xxx
Thanks so much, Smitha, and I love the analogy of pretty skirts. I appreciate your kind words. π
Thatβs a beautiful find. Nature is always ready to surprise us with its beauty.
Iβm so glad you enjoyed these, Edward. And I agree about nature. πβ€οΈ
Really lovely piece! Always love evocations of nature β€οΈ
Thanks, Layla! Nature always inspires writing! ππ·
The colors and the swirls immediately made me think of ice, too. Such a lovely piece.
What a lovely image, Lori! Thanks for your kind comment! π
Nature always surprises us no matter what. A lovely picture and poem Lauren. π
Thanks for your lovely words, Kamal.ππ
You are always welcome dear Lauren β€οΈβ€οΈ
They look like seashells! And they’re beautiful! Happy Birthday, Lauren!
So true, Dawn, and thank you! Have a great Thursday! πππ₯
Great photo, Lauren. And the poem to celebrate it. I have many, many photos of fungus. Itβs always surprising.
Thanks, Curt! Nature has her pleasant surprises! Hope all is well!
Always, Lauren. All is well! Peggy and I just got back from a month in Costa Rica.,
Wonderful to hear, Curt!!
That is beautiful, Lauren. It is interesting how we label things a certain way, such as fungus, and then view them from a different perspective. I am glad it inspired some creativity as well! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Lisa xoxo
Thanks, Lisa, and it is interesting, isn’t it? I’ve never thought of fungi being beautiful, but these changed my mind. π I’m glad you enjoyed and have a great weekend. xoxo
xoxo
Wonderful find, Lauren. The pattern of the fungi you found are very pretty. Your poem is lovely. I have a lot of respect for the fungi, especially after I learned that the first antibiotic, penicillin, was derived from a fungus in 1928. The penicillin just cleared my sinus infection that last for a few weeks. I’m thankful for fungi.
Such beautiful words Lauren, wonderful poem my friend ππππ
Thanks so much, Carol Anne! Hugs π₯°ππ·
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