3 Nights in a Van Conclusion!

On August 29, 2024August 29, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry80 Comments

Well, the time has come to wrap this series up! I think I’ve milked it,
but I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey.
It’s quite obvious the delight and reverence we feel
while hanging out with nature in all her glory.
And I’m surprised with how much writing inspiration came my way.
Several poems are waiting in the wings to be polished.
But they’ll have their time in the spotlight down the road.
Thanks again for following the series.
I truly hope you’ve left with meaningful takeaways.
If you’ve missed any parts, you can click on each one below:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
And now for the conclusion…

A Fun Mix of Limericks!

There once was a van named Clay
That delightfully came our way
Time for outdoors
Adventuring in store
Exploring, relaxing, and water play!

Leisure comes first on vacation
Unplug without hesitation
Get inspired to write
If inclined, recite
Embrace the vital sensation!

***From web, Silt Management Supplies LLC***

Straw wattles lay around the curve
An interesting sight to observe
No silt in streams
A brilliant means
Macro invertebrates preserved!

What a view to embrace upon waking
New memories in the making
First sip of coffee
Not fancy or frothy
A moment beyond breathtaking!

A family of feathered friends
Swims in sync around the bend
Paddling in sunshine
An imperfect line
Our best wishes to them we send!

We hopped from stone to stone
Smooth granite to call our own
Gray landscape for rest
No thoughts to protest
Ready for a reflective zone.

Lake reveals rough waters today
No kayaks or paddle boards at play
Wind changes plan
Grateful for van
Inside our shelter we will stay!

A lovely day whispers its farewell
Casting over us a wondrous spell
A sunset sighs
Splendor for the eyes
Bringing to a close my show and tell!

❤️❤️❤️

“I could not be a poet without the natural world. Someone else could. But not me. For me the door to the woods is the door to the temple.” ~ Mary Oliver

Three Nights in a Van-Part 4

On August 26, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry102 Comments

Dear Family and Friends,

For those of you who have followed me through this series, I’m so grateful. But what makes me happy is that you’ve enjoyed the journey with Clay the Camper van at our favorite lake in the Sierra Mountains. I’m sure you can tell that each piece of writing is different from the last because I don’t want your eyes glazing over from repetition. 😁 And if you’ve missed the prior posts, you can click below:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

On one of our hikes, as I made myself comfortable on a smooth slab of granite (Part 3), I fell deep into a lovely reflection about the man who I’m sharing this camper van journey with, not to mention, the phenomenal journey of life. And so, the poem below evolved. I hope you enjoy this touch of romance for a Monday…

***Stunning marriage of lake and clouds.***

Marinate

Let my words marinate…
Did you feel unworthy of being loved?
Maybe I felt the same.
Perhaps, everyone does at some turn
of the sun and waxing of the moon.

But you, my love, are deserving
of all constellations. I’d reach high
in the velvet sky and gently cup
the brilliance in my hands,
devoting all to you.
The light in you coupled with their luminescence
would be a spectacular collaboration.

We are not perfect.
We are imperfectly perfect for each other.
We ‘see’ each other.
Never are we dismissed by words or actions.
Never are we invisible like shade in the night.

Did you realize that together
we have witnessed
13,140 sunrises and sunsets?
It’s wild to envision the abundance
of colors in our life!

Oh, gray managed to seep
into some chapters,
but our arms saved each of us
from falling and surrendering.
Why give darkness the spotlight
when the light wishes to shine?

So, let my words marinate…
I love you!
Our love is as timeless as the pairing
of wine and cheese.
And I’m excited to witness by your side
the wonder of more magic from the sun!

For with you, I have everything I need.
I have no need to look beyond.
For with you, I have won the golden ticket.
❤️

***View of the lake from inside the van.***

“Remember to do the best you can to live life Ever So Gently.”

Have a wonderful day, and please give those you love a hug each day
and tell them how your heart feels. No tomorrow is guaranteed. ❤️

Three Nights in a Van – Part 3 An Invitation

On August 23, 2024August 25, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry87 Comments

Dear Family and Friends,

For those of you who have followed me since Part 1, thank you! I thought today’s Part 3 would make a good Friday post. On a morning hike, I became inspired to write, and once we returned to camp, I had to jot down my thoughts fast before they drifted away. So, if you missed Part 1, which will provide the full context of this series, you can check it out here, and for Part 2 click here.
I hope you enjoy! ❤️

An Invitation

Smooth granite invites contemplation and reflection.
Please, take a seat, relax, watch the lake’s ripples
perform their water dance. Does the shimmering surface
remind you of stars presenting a ballet in a brilliant night sky?

Note the tall pines swaying in the breeze,
you can gently sway, too, if you feel the need.
Let the depth of your soul bathe in the beauty.

Permit calm into your core
slowing the anxiety in your weary bones.
No worries weigh heavy on your mind.
Simply absorb nature’s tranquility, enhancing your mindset,
and sensing your body slipping into a state of bliss.

The sun touches the stone like the caress of an adored lover.
Feel the warmth seeping into your skin and open your eyes
to the wonder around you,
to the tail-free lizard heading somewhere fast alone.

When you feel like you can’t keep up
with a world spinning out of control,

When joy has been suffocated
by tragedies incomprehensible,
and you fear it won’t breathe sweet air again,

When hope has been emptied to the last drop
and you fear it won’t be replenished,

Consider yourself truly blessed with this precious moment,
transporting you to a safe place of escape.

© Lauren Scott

Perfect for summer blue skies or for when
the leaves change their wardrobe in the fall.
In this collection, I prompt you to reminisce
and reflect on your past, present, and future.
Through the ups and downs,
what matters most is to love and live ever so gently. 💚🩵

Three Nights in a Van – Part 2

On August 21, 2024August 21, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry90 Comments

Dear Friends and Family,

On of our hikes, we discovered a pond, and a fun poem came to mind for Part 2 in my camper van adventure series. If you missed Part 1, you can read it here. Enjoy!

Mr. Frog

I wonder if a frog
lives in that pond
or a family of three
or even beyond.

A green meadow surrounds
with evenings of hoots –
an enchanting location
to plant their roots.

With each step of silence
I’m quiet as can be.
Mr. Frog, please show
your wide eyes to me.

When I was five
I found a frog
as big as a football
but not huge like a hog.

I named him Sam,
a fine name for him,
but it was a tossup
between Sam and Tim.

Now you know the reason
I simply love frogs
as much as my heart
loves all breeds of dogs.

And this is why I wish
Mr. Frog would pop up soon
to bid me the finest day,
and tonight, the brightest moon!

***Meet the frog that I named Sam made by***
***my mom when I was a little girl. He is comprised***
of ***love, corduroy, and beans.***

I hope you enjoyed the fun, and as always, I appreciate
your visit. Have a wonderful day filled with smiles!
~ Lauren ❤️

Tantalizing Tautogram Trio!

On August 9, 2024August 9, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry92 Comments

For a fun Friday, I’m trying something new, and honestly, I’m not sure if my attempts are right! 🙂 I learned about Tautogram poetry on Luisa’s blog, Words and Music and Stories, and she suggested I give them a try. So I did…

The tautogram is best explained by its Greek root words of “tauto” meaning “the same” and “gramma” meaning “letter.” Basically, all words in the poem begin with the same letter.

Here we go! I inserted Friday inspiration and a little bit of Copper!

Discovery

Dare! Delve daily,
donning doses –
dazzling dreams
demonstrate determination.
Devotion drives decision –
dynamic discovery!

Beautiful

Born beautiful,
Believe,
boundlessly blessed,
brilliantly bringing balance
beyond body –
beloved, bubbly, being!

Copper

Cute canine creates
colossal connection –
coloring clouds,
calming chaos,
complimenting clan!

I hope you enjoyed these tautograms! They were fun and a bit challenging, but I’ll keep trying! 😂

By the way, I’ll be hanging out with hubby at our favorite lake in the Sierra Mountains next week, and beginning on Sunday, I’ll be off the grid. So, have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead!
And I always appreciate your visits and feedback. Hugs, Lauren ❤️

“Beautiful and sensational poetry that
softens the heart” – Miriam Hurdle
***Available on Amazon***

Reconnected is live on Gobblers by Masticadores

On August 7, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Gobblers by Masticadores, Poetry50 Comments

Dear Family and Friends,

I am pleased to announce that my poem, “Reconnected” is published on Gobblers by Masticadores! A huge Thank you to Manuela Timofte for believing in me enough to share my work each month. I am truly grateful! 🙏🩷

A snippet of the poem…

He had just entered the world
his body tiny and delicate
a bundle needing to be loved
His skin darker than theirs
but this made no difference
Joy danced in their hearts
when he became family

but with each passing birthday
the skin color confused him…

This poem is my sister and brother-in-law’s story. They were married 52 years ago, and when they wanted to start their family, they found out that they couldn’t have children. So, they adopted their two boys. This is the story of their first son, my nephew. It is a story of unconditional love and wanting to provide a loving, safe home for a precious baby who needed one. I would be thrilled if you visited Gobblers to show your love on their site and to read the full poem. You can find the poem here.

Reconnected

Thank you for visiting and for your wonderful support,
Lauren ❤️

Everything looked the Same

On August 6, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry72 Comments

It was just another day at the county fair.
Everything looked the same.
Vendors gathered in their dedicated spots.
The music venue sat under the white canopy
by the pond that never changes location.

Henna ink has lightened – the faded hummingbird
no longer reminds me of Mom, the wolf, incognito,
but the memory shines like the glimmering pond…

Chatter and laughter echo around the zooming roller coasters,
high-flying swings, and games that will eagerly take your dollar bills.
Feathered spectators compete in the distance, but their melodies
as faint as clouds drifting in the sky. Soft tacos satisfy our palates
under a waterfall of sunshine as we observe parents walking by
with their children wearing cotton candy smiles.
Nothing brings more joy than cheering on the trio of piglets
racing around the track. Their curly tails in view past the finish line!

What a delightful visual the lively grounds present from the revolving
Ferris Wheel. I grab my cell for photos of him with the crowd’s energy
buzzing in the background. He entertains me with these photo ops,
knowing how much I love documenting precious moments.
The ride pauses with our bucket at the top while others climb in below
for their trip around the moon – our fingertips almost touch the vast blue.
I am surprised by the vacancy of butterflies in my stomach.

It was just another day at the county fair.
Everything looked the same, except…
this day was time spent with my adult son –
he would soon embark on a cross-country adventure.
So, a Sunday of togetherness while enjoying
the county fair landscape proved to be anything
but the same, and was indeed different in the very best way –
worth more than any materialistic possession I could ever own.