Book Review: Ariel’s Song by Dawn Pisturino

Ariel’s Song by Dawn Pisturino is a beautiful and evocative collection of sixty-five poems – a collection that she lovingly dedicates to her daughter whose name is Ariel. The poems were written over a period of three decades touching on topics of love, family, children, death, nature, and the unique. Some rhyme and others are free in their styles from traditional sonnets that invited me to contemplate, to twisted limericks that made me laugh. I had many favorites, but I’m sharing snippets from a few, otherwise, this review would turn into a novel.

Many poems brought a sense of nostalgia. “November” evoked memories of when the season changed into golds, yellows, and reds, the air brought a chill, and my parents were still with us, enjoying family weekends at our cabin – everyone was young, and the future looked brighter than ever.

When November came,
We sat around the kitchen table after dark,
Telling chilling tales
Of ghosts and other phantoms of the night,
While wooden logs crackled and burned
On the old stone hearth,
And a cold wind wrapped its spectral arms
Around the ancient wooden cottage…

Dawn writes of her late father in “Rapping” which stirred emotions of my mother-in-law who departed from our world over thirty years ago. Our daughter was born the same year that Diane passed, and one evening from downstairs, we heard footsteps on the carpeted staircase when our little girl was sound asleep in her crib. No one else was in the house with us. So, was it Diane stealing a glance at her first precious grandchild? We imagined it was, and so we believed.

As a nature lover with a grateful heart for each new day “When the Morning Comes” hit home and really should be hung on refrigerators:

When the morning comes,
Sun will shine with a different light,
Earth will glow in a brand-new way,
Moon will dance to a gayer tune,
Clouds of pain will float away.
Broken hearts will beat again,
Empty eyes will see new life,
Throats will open up and sing,
Hands will break the chains of strife…

“I Hate Snakes” made me laugh out loud, but I can relate so well to the sentiments. Dawn’s vivid imagery summoned me along to explore with her in ‘the jungle’ and her frightening experience with snakes reminded me of my first encounter with a spider, which eventually turned into arachnophobia, causing a never-ending turbulent relationship with the creepy-crawlies.   

I HATE SNAKES

I pushed open the creaky door to look inside
And froze in shock at what I saw:
Slithering, crawling, scaly snakes
Formed a moving carpet on the floor,
Entwining in an intimate embrace,
Lying together in a clump of shimmering bodies,
Moving slowly and surely in the rotten shadows.
We beat a hasty retreat
And never visited our ‘jungle’ again.
And that’s why, even today,
I HATE SNAKES!

Dawn’s collection of lovely, witty, and occasionally dark poetry, offers a verse and a sense of familiarity for everyone. Highly recommended for all poetry enthusiasts!

Dawn’s website: http://www.dawnpisturino.org

And social media links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dawn.pisturino
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Dawn-Pisturino-author/61557762414334
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dawnpisturino
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dawnpisturino/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pisturino-a15498123/
Medium: http://www.medium.com/@dawnpisturino
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dawnpisturino/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WriterArizona
Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/user/Rare_Scare/
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/arizonawriter

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend ahead! ❤️

My latest collection of poetrytouching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life
that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚

Blues and Greens and Poetry!

Last Friday, I took myself for a leisurely drive on the country roads to one of our favorite, charming towns, Pt. Reyes Station – about a 45-minute drive. At this time of year, the hills are velvety green, the sky a vivid bright blue, and the clouds looked soft and cottony – a gorgeous day! Upon arrival early enough for ample parking, I found a spot close to Toby’s Coffee Cart that called out to me when I got out of my car! I had to get a chai tea latte, and then I sat at a cute orange table and enjoyed the sweet and spicy drink. While I watched people pass by, listening to the sounds – chatter, laughter, dogs barking, and birds singing – a poem was brewing. Are you surprised? 🙂

Shopping was inevitable – I found a white beaded bracelet signifying tranquility and a new book. I don’t need more books! But I can’t walk by a book store and not peruse its treasures, let alone, find a treasure that I have to read! Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui caught my eye because I’ve always loved swimming, and growing up, we had a pool in our backyard. Diving to touch the drain, pretending to be a mermaid, swimming laps, and playing Marco Polo with family and friends are some of the great memories!

At the end of my Pt. Reyes visit, taking photos was on the agenda. How could it not be? I hope you enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fun poem!

 Blues and Greens just for Me

A day for me and me alone
With my thoughts we will roam
Lovely country roads we’ll drive
Lined with yellow blooms to thrive
Rolling hills in emerald bright
Velvet touch, a stunning sight
Shops to wander, trinkets entice
Sipping chai, a relaxing sigh
Flora and fauna all around
Camera in hand, photos abound
Memories made for me alone
A day for me to freely roam

Just like sunrises and sunsets, there is no such thing as ‘too many sky photos!’
Old barns captivate me!
An inviting Zen garden.
I’ve never mastered selfies!

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Thank you for stopping by, and know that I appreciate you! ❤️

My latest collection of poetrytouching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life
that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚

An amazing review of Ever So Gently by Dawn Pisturino!

It’s time for another happy dance! I’m thrilled to read Dawn’s beautiful review of my book this morning. Below is a little peek…

Poetry Book Review: “Ever So Gently”

BY DAWN PISTURINO ON APRIL 28, 2024

Ever So Gently by Lauren Scott (2023). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/6VKTDPu.

Lauren Scott’s latest poetry collection reflects the inner life of the poet as she seeks to bring serenity and harmony into her world.

In “Messages from the Sea,” her verses paint a vivid portrait of nature, using keen observations and sensitive emotional reactions:

“listen intently
inhale, exhale, feel the calm
your soul will thank you”

Her signature poem, “Ever So Gently,” reminds us to leave our negative thoughts behind and enjoy the positive things around us:

“Remember, the breeze carries
burdens down rivers
and across oceans,
majestic trees sway with joy,
sheltering from shadows,
and the light shines even if only
a slight glimmer slips through”

Please visit Dawn’s post to read her full review, and if you haven’t met Dawn yet, spend some time at her site to immerse yourself in her evocative and lovely poetry.

Thanks again, Dawn! I’m delighted with your wonderful review! But most importantly, I’m grateful that you enjoyed my poetry and found poems that touched you. ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful week ahead! ❤️

My latest collection of poetrytouching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life
that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚

Veins

How did naiveté slide into her veins? Why were those vessels so accommodating? She had listened intently to his persuasive syllables as they rolled like a lover’s ballad carried on summer’s breeze. They purported to express his love and devotion to her. Hence, the cadence of her heartbeat simulated gentle ocean waves ebbing and flowing beneath a robin egg blue sky. Her mind fuzzy like a delicious wine buzz because that’s what the power of love is capable of, mesmerizing her before his promises landed hard in the branches of the trees, stabbed in retaliation.

How did naiveté leech into her blood transforming its crimson red to a faded replica of weakness? The mirror hanging on the back of her door exposes a reflection of despair, unrecognizable. Yet, she understands the breadth of her situation, but when will the difference between humanity and an arresting performance reveal itself? When will the language flow like a lover’s ballad on summer’s breeze embracing her with warmth and security of compassion and honesty? Or is this simply a dream so far-removed from her reach?

Time mystifies, but with its magical means, her mind has awakened to reality. She releases a sigh of relief, realizing her heart is devoid of fissures. Never again will she place her golden treasure in danger of breaking. She has rid his presence from her precious sunrises. The panacea was inside her all along – a shifting from low self-esteem to self-assurance, an enlightening altering of what she desires for her tomorrows.

The longing in her soul pulses to witness butterflies flutter by again, and deer casually stroll down her street. To witness hummingbirds seeking out soft petals, evoking memories of her beloved mother. It’s not as though butterflies never visited her garden, or deer never strolled by her home, and it’s not like hummingbirds avoided visiting for a sip from her pink geraniums. She just never permitted herself to observe the beauty because her heart became preoccupied, and he was undeserving of its loyalty, frequently opining his needs and unconcerned with hers.   

But now she shows great sagacity in making changes after declaring to her reflection in the mirror of what life offers. All she needs to do is invite life in. So, let the chirp of birds echo – delightful sounds of joy outside her window – and let deer stroll in their graceful manners. Let the wind blow, the mountains call, and the waterfalls fall, because blood in her veins now flows rich crimson red!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a terrific weekend!❤️



The Comforting Gifts of Nature

teardrops slowly fall
petals catch their emotions
nature’s consoling

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo: Abutilon from our yard.


Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful day! ❤️

My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life.
Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚

In Honor of Earth Day…

and this sunny, Monday morning, I’m sharing a poem from my book, Ever So Gently. If you’ve already read it, I hope you don’t mind a repeat. 🙂 This poem was inspired from one of our lake trips in the Sierra Mountains…

The First Morning

Our eyes open to chirps
from high in the fir trees,
and we hear the rustle
of a skittering squirrel.
The evening before,
every creature
became silent
as darkness sank
into the evening.
But this morning,
with sunlight
caressing the lake,
we walk the few steps
to calm water,
nestle into our chairs
and slowly sip our coffee.
We listen.
Peace.
Cottony clouds drift by.
We want to move into
them, feel their softness
enfold us.
They shift with the grace
of a swan.
Ripples shimmer above sand.
Art in clear water.
And this is when we watch morning happen…

Loon Lake, Sierra Mountains

********************************************************

My latest collection of poetry. 
If you don’t have your copy yet,
simply click on the image. Thank you!
 💚

Friday Ripples

One droplet of kindness is all it takes
A ripple effect that one drop creates.
A simple smile
Always in style,
Days in a life a gesture shapes.

💙🩵

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warm, beautiful days finally arrived, which reminds me of our Sierra trips.
We will soon swim in this stunning lake again.

Cheers!

Happy Friday, and wishing you a fabulous weekend ahead! ❤️❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Ripple photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My latest collection of poetry. 
If you don’t have your copy yet,
simply click on the image. Thank you!
 💚

Deeper Wells and Soft Voices

Recently, I listened to the new album by Kacey Musgraves. For those of you who aren’t familiar with her, she’s a country singer with a clear voice that soothes as smooth as honey. Her voice has been described by loyal fans as a mother singing sweetly to her baby. I liked the album, but a few songs stood out and one is “Deeper Well.” It touches on letting go of people and habits that hinder us from becoming the best versions of ourselves. I hope you enjoy the song.

Deeper Well
by Kacey Musgraves

My Saturn has returned
When I turned twenty-seven
Everything started to change

Took a long time, but I learned
There’s two kinds of people, one is a giver
And one’s always tryin’ to take
All they can take

So I’m sayin’ goodbye to the people
That I feel are real good at wastin’ my time
No regrets, baby, I just think that maybe
You go your way and I’ll go mine
It’s been a real good time
But you got dark energy, somethin’ I can’t unsee
And I’ve got to take care of myself
I found a deeper well

I used to wake and bake
Roll out of bed, hit the gravity bong that I made
And start the day
For a while, it got me by
Everything I did seemed better when I was high
I don’t know why

So I’m gettin’ rid of the habits that I feel
Are real good at wastin’ my time
No regrets, baby, I just think that maybe
It’s natural when things lose their shine
So other things can glow
I’ve gotten older now, I know
How to take care of myself
I found a deeper well

When I was growing up
We had what we needed, shoes on our feet
But the world was as flat as a plate
And that’s okay

The things I was taught only took me so far
Had to figure the rest out myself
And then I found
I found a deeper well

After listening to the lyrics, I was reminded of my father-in-law who saw the good in everyone. I try to do the same, but some people make it more challenging. And age is irrelevant because people who dim the lights in our worlds cross our paths in different phases of our lives. Discerning the truth may happen sooner, or it might take a little longer. But it’s a healthy realization because life is too short. We never know what tomorrow will bring. So, why waste it dealing with people who push us down?

So I’m sayin’ goodbye to the people that I feel are real good at wastin’ my time.

The same thing applies to habits, but breaking habits is easier said than done. And yet, why waste the days doing things that aren’t beneficial to our well-being?

So I’m gettin’ rid of the habits that I feel are real good at wastin’ my time.

I don’t pay close attention to celebrities personal lives, but I heard through the grapevine that Kacey has lived through some emotionally tough times. So, the lyrics are about starting new, starting fresh, and shedding anyone who doesn’t help move her forward in a positive manner. They’re about shedding habits that prevent her from living a healthy life so she can stay focused. The notion of self-care is nothing new, but it’s certainly ongoing. It’s infinite as the years fly by, whether we’re single, married, in a relationship, young, middle-aged, or older. Confidence should be worn on our sleeves instead of erratic emotions to keep our personal spaces sacred and to live each day in ways that will initiate a ‘Thank you’ from our minds and bodies. I couldn’t help but write more limericks…

To Better Our Lives

Some people appear to be the very best
But with each day, we are put to the test
Words become nothing
Actions become something
Triggering our minds and hearts to stress
.

Decisions are reached to better our lives
Time to exterminate negative vibes
Personas fake as fur
Relations to deter
Circumstances guiding towards kinder tribes
.

Living under a Clear Sky

Habits entice to some like bourbon on ice
They have one goal in mind and it isn’t nice
constant brain fog
living in smog
Are you willing to pay the steep price?


Break the stubborn habit and break it good
So you can make the most of your adulthood
Stay focused with verve
To you, you will serve
Deep down inside, you knew you could!


Do you remember the coloring that I attempted month’s ago? It’s from a book titled, “Let that Sh*t Go!” which ties into this post. This fun little book by Monica Sweeney packs in an abundance of wisdom (some four-letter words included), along with adult coloring, as you can see. Well, I finally finished and here is the result:

It’s not a work of perfection, but it’s definitely cheerful,
and the process was fun!

What did you think about the song? Did this post resonate?
Did a limerick stand out for you?
Cheers to Letting Go, Self-Care, and Creativity,
and more awareness to people who try to steal the light
from our worlds.

Thanks for popping in! I appreciate you!
❤️🩷🧡💜💙

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

My latest collection of poetry. 
If you don’t have your copy yet,
simply click on the image. Thank you!
 💚