Category: Poetry

How Ever So Gently touched Pooja at Lifesfinewhine!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Poetry81 Comments

Dear friends,

I was knocked off my feet from a flu bug since last weekend and am now slowly returning to the land of the living. With fever and fatigue, sleep was my only activity, so I’m sorry for missing your posts, but I’m trying to catch up a bit. In the meantime, I’m also late in sharing another friend’s review of my book, Ever So Gently. Pooja is so kind and her blog, Lifesfinewhine, offers a variety of topics for her readers such as lifestyle, travel, mental health, beauty, blogging advice, six word stories, poetry and inspirational posts along with other occasional posts. She also offers multiple services, so if you haven’t met Pooja, please pay her a visit. You will be glad you did!

And now for Pooja’s detailed amazing review:

Ever So Gently By Lauren Scott Review:

I was first introduced to Lauren Scott’s writing when I followed her WordPress blog. Even though I was new to her blog, I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. And I’m pretty sure I have read the vast majority of the blogs she has published since I followed her if not all the posts she has published since. A good number of her posts include poetry so I was used to her style of writing and knew that I enjoyed it. When I saw that she had published a poetry book recently, I was very excited to give it a read. And since I loved the book (spoiler alert lol!) I decided to share my review of Ever So Gently by Lauren Scott.

Overall Review

I generally like to start with what I liked about the book overall and then go into more detailed thoughts on it. As you must have guessed by now, Ever So Gently is a poetry book. And what I loved about the poems is that they were so vividly descriptive. The poems are inspired by the things around Lauren and her experiences. And her descriptions made me feel like I was there with her.

For the most part, her poems are quite light and beautiful. But some are darker and dive into darker themes. Although these poems are heavier, I still very much enjoyed them and found the emotionally raw poems to be really touching.

Ever So Gently is not trying to be like every other poetry book. It’s also not trying to be pretentious or trying too hard. It simply just is and as a reader I love that. There were moments I forgot I was reading because I got so into it and lost track of time. What was supposed to be a ten minute break turned into half an hour. And to me, that’s a sign of a great book and a great writer.

I rarely talk about book covers but I wanted to add that I really love the minimalistic book cover. I’m a big fan of minimalistic covers especially for poetry books. This one is so calming and it really captures what to expect from the book.

Specifics

My favourite poem from the book is called Unexpected. I don’t want to give away too much about the poem but it’s such an uplifting one. For those of you that know me, you know I suffer from depression and anxiety. This poem is about getting better and trying to see colour again when your life has been stained grey. Interestingly, I read it right before my therapy session as I waited outside my therapists office. The universe is funny like that sometimes. But I think that’s what made me really connect with the poem.

Even though I enjoyed all the poems, I think my favourite were actually the more heavy ones because they had so much emotion behind them. Such as “Things I Know, Believe, And Imagine.” I thought this poem was very relevant with how the world is at the moment. It’s a great reminder of how important love, acceptance, and kindness are in a world where we are so quick to turn to hate and violence.

Conclusion And Where To Buy “Ever So Gently”

Overall, Ever So Gently by Lauren Scott is a book I think is a must read. It’s really so well written that I think everyone would find it enjoyable and easy to follow even if you are not particularly a poetry fan. I would say this book can be enjoyed by both poetry lovers and those that don’t generally read poetry. The poems are largely uplifting but are still quite thought provoking and draw a lot of emotions from the reader. If you’re not sure what to read next or are looking for something to read, do consider this book. It won’t let you down.

You can find Ever So Gently By Lauren Scott on Amazon.

Thanks again, Pooja, for this amazing and thoughtful review of my book. To say that I’m grateful doesn’t justify how I feel, knowing the positive affect my poems had on you. ❤️ Click here to read Pooja’s post.

Please know that not all reviews of my book are on Amazon or Goodreads, so you can click here to visit my page for updates. Also, if you have read my book and were as touched by the collection as Pooja, please consider sharing your review. They are like hugs for Indie Authors, and who doesn’t like a hug? 🙂

Fun fact: My son offered to create the cover, but instead of doing it digitally, he painted it on canvas (a surprise to me) using colors I requested. I wanted minimalistic and gentle for this book and I’m so happy with the outcome.

Thank you for stopping by, and thanks to you who have bought my book! I hope you enjoy this collection where I prompt you to reminisce and reflect upon your past, present, and future. And what matters most is to love and live ever so gently.

Stay well! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo: Loon Lake, Sierra Nevada mountains

Threads of Peace…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Photos, Poetry53 Comments
‘Tiny threads of peace weave into the marrow of our souls’ from “A Fine Discovery” in Ever So Gently.

I wish you peace today. 🩵🩵

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo: LScott, Loon Lake, CA

My latest release – to purchase your copy,
click on the image. Thank you! 💙

From his son – until that time…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry65 Comments

I look at the frail man
lying in the hospice bed
whose body is slowly giving up.
My eyes close.

Is he my father?
The pillar in my life?

It’s tough to accept
because
my father stands next to me
in the 8×10 frame
on the peak
of San Gorgonio mountain,
highest in Southern California.

At 65, he hiked
up and down that mountain,
18 miles round trip.
Sun hat, t-shirt, long pants,
smile, heart full of adventure,
this man, so full of life.

The end of his trail draws near.
Grief will find its way, no doubt.
and I will surrender,
then I will shout to the universe
in celebration
of the incredible man he used to be.

Until that time,
I look at his face,
I bend down to kiss him
on the forehead.
I focus on his good eye,
and I see my wonderful father
who stood beside me
on that mountain top.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
My father-in-law always says, “Until that time.”

My latest release – click on the image to purchase your copy!

Thanks so much for visiting. ❤️

Hospice Wings

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry84 Comments

He sees
emerald rolling hills
and brilliant blue skies
that stretch forever.

He sees a train rolling by,
the passengers wave,
cars float in the clouds,
a wire suspended between lips,
a lady painted on the door,

but he listens,
he understands,

his appetite takes in small bites,
slow swallowing,
juice flows fluidly through
a flexible straw,

yesterday, cranberry flavors
made him smile.
Today, he winced at the thought.

We hold his hand,
sometimes, he doesn’t let go.

We say, “I love you.”

He repeats these words,
then adds
“More than you know.”

Each day differs.
Each day surprises.
Each day is heartbreaking
as we wait…

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

My latest release – Click on the image to purchase your copy!

Thank you for visiting! ❤️

Colleen at Word Craft Poetry presents Meet the Poet, Lauren Scott…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry67 Comments

I was excited when Colleen at wordcraftpoetry.com invited me to be featured in her Meet the Poet series. This is part of the blog tour for my book, Ever So Gently. And if you’re following along, I greatly appreciate YOU!

She created the interview which gave me an opportunity to talk about poetry and to discuss Ever So Gently. What a wonderful way to meet new authors and to learn more about the writing process of the authors we already know and love. If you haven’t met Colleen, please visit her site and take your time perusing around. She is the queen of syllabic poetry!

Here’s what Colleen has to say about her wonderful series:

This is a way to get to know more about the poets and their work. Many of our poets have written both fiction and non-fiction and published and self-published their works.

Some of our poets are also artists, crafting their magic through watercolors or other artistic means along with the written word. There are even a few musicians in our poetic community!

At least once a month, I’ll be introducing you to the poets in our community! Grab a cup of tea or coffee, and meet the poet!

A preview of our interview:

(L) Hi Colleen. Thanks so much for your invitation. I’m really looking forward to our chat.

(C) Hi Lauren! I’m glad you stopped by! How long have you been writing syllabic poetry? What’s the first form of syllabic poetry you wrote?

(L) I’ve been writing syllabic poetry since I started my blog, baydreamerwrites.com, over eleven years ago. The first form I explored was haiku. I love the idea of painting a picture or evoking an emotion with so few words. Since then, I have taken the challenge by trying other forms such as Tanka, Etheree, Shadorma, Didactic Cinquain, Oddquain, and Double Ennead, which was created by you, Colleen.

(C) Thanks, Lauren. I’m glad you enjoyed writing the Double Ennead. I know you have published several poetry books, and a brand-new poetry book you’ve just published called Ever So Gently. Tell us about the book and why you wrote it.

To read the rest of our interview, please visit Colleen’s post here, or click on the blog link below!

I have to add that while conversing with Rebecca Budd on Colleen’s post, she invited me to be a guest in 2024 (her 6th year) on her Tea Toast & Trivia Podcast . I am honored and so excited for this opportunity.
Thanks to Colleen for opening this door and to Rebecca for opening it just a little bit wider.

And to purchase a copy of Ever So Gently, you can click here or on the image above. A huge Thanks to you who have read my book or who are currently reading the collection. I hope you find a poem or two that you can call your own, and by the turn of the last page, I hope you’ll discover the reward of living ever so gently.

Thanks always for stopping by to show your support, and Colleen, you rock! I loved doing this interview with you and am grateful for being featured in your Meet the Poet series.

~ Lauren ❤️❤️

To read the rest of our interview, please visit Colleen’s post here, or click on the blog link below!

And if you missed any part of the tour, check out my prior posts. Thank you!

https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/08/21/meet-the-poet-lauren-scott/

Resa elegantly talks about Ever So Gently…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry50 Comments

Today, I am more than excited to be featured on Resa’s blog. If you know Resa, you’ll understand how her words about my poetry collection fit exquisitely. Here’s a glimpse of what she felt:

“I read the poems in order, but not at first. Deciding to try a different approach, I dove into the book like it was a box of chocolates. I read whatever poem in any order, as the fancy lead. Yet, as delicious as it all was; it’s more than confection.

It’s like collecting beautiful fabrics and trims. Poems were read, materials collected and a pattern designed. When the poems were over, they had draped a rich, beautifully adorned gown over my spirit.”

To read the full interview with her gorgeous images and creativity, please visit her post.

Thanks again SO much, Resa! ❤️❤️

Ever So Gently – by Lauren Scott

The celebrations and preparations…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos, Poetry49 Comments

Dear Friends,

It has been a wild, exciting ride with the launch of my new book and all the wonderful support I’ve been given. But in the midst of the excitement, my father-in-law has been on hospice for almost two weeks, and it’s been tough, to say the least. A surreal time, waiting for the inevitable. But his large support circle ensures that he is comfortable and loved, which is most important.

Before he started to decline, we already had our backpacking trip reserved in the Sierra Mountains, but with his encouragement, we are still going. Although, due to my foot issue, we decided that I shouldn’t push it. My foot has been cooperating, but I’d hate to overdo it and take five steps backwards. So, we’re camping. We’ll be relaxing by the lake, surrounded by ponderosa pines and nature’s warm embrace. And this is really what we need. My brother-in-law will ‘hold down the fort’ while we’re gone. He also told us to go. “Dad wants you to enjoy the adventure.” We will have our Spot X satellite device though to stay in touch. And obviously, if something changes before we plan to leave, we won’t go. Always ‘one day at a time.’

So, I’ll be offline next week and will return the following week of the 21st. The photo above is from one of our trips to our favorite Sierra lake, and the poem below is in my book and one I wrote while sitting on the shore in the company of the smooth water, and journal and pen (and hubby, of course.)

The Sun Knows

Evening advances.
The shore wears nothing
but a few rocks
scattered on its sand.
In their quiet space,
a father and son hold fishing lines
hoping their luck will lift.
A lone sailboat glides by
pausing for the unfolding.
With hair the color of an egret,
an older man leans against a stump.

Clouds understand why we wait.
A fine yellow highlighter
has delicately outlined
their smooth edges.
Occasionally, trout jump
out of the still water,
only a few ripples
show their excitement.

Then suddenly the sky explodes
in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows –
brighter with every second.
It’s as though a painter swished
her brush back and forth
on the immense backdrop,
to the left, to the right,
repeating with the grace
of an orchestra leader.
Can the sun slipping behind
downy clouds
be more spectacular?

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

The blog tour will continue when I return and I have to share two more beautiful reviews:

Reading Ms. Scott’s poetry is like roaming the pages of a spiritual book and you can feel a connection. Upon picking up this book I first read “Ever So Gently” and felt an instant connection, as I’ve lived such moments myself during bushcrafting adventures, connected to nature and all of creation. As I continue to read, each poem is equally as deep and reveals not only the writers soul, but my own.
~ Scott Mitchell – Lauren Scott will touch your soul. 5 stars

What an endearing gathering of short poems, some written as Haiku and other syllabic poetry, but all comforting, calming, restorative. Presented in three sections, these verses pose the wonder of nature, the love of family, even the delight of a pet. An elegant medley.
~ Joy Neal Kidney – An endearing collection. 5 stars

I am humbled and grateful for these lovely reviews, and I want to thank you all for the ‘book’ support, the visits, the comments, and the love.
So, have a Fabulous week! Stay well and Be happy!

Sending virtual hugs out to you all,

Lauren ❤️

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

Comments have been closed.

#Blog Tour – Balroop Singh at Emotional Shadows promotes Ever So Gently!!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry54 Comments

I am delighted to be featured on Balroop Singh’s blog today, Emotional Shadows, as the blog tour continues for my latest release, Ever So Gently. Balroop shares her stunning review that has me over the moon! Please visit her blog if you haven’t already met Balroop. She is a fabulous poet!

And I’m sharing the book trailer again below that Robbie Cheadle created with my photos:

Balroop’s 5-Star review:

Scott’s poetry celebrates memories and moments in her latest collection – ‘Ever So Gently.’ Her connection with the surroundings blends into the wisdom of nature that unfolds through stunning imagery like: “hear the rustle of a skittering squirrel,” “petals of velvet invite raindrops to bask in their peach enchantment,” and “breeze carries burdens down rivers.”

From the birds that ‘flit and flutter’ to build their nest to the owl who proclaims his presence with his ‘high-pitched toots’ and the hummingbirds that flutter around the “bright pink petals” – all find a place of honor in this book to delight your moods. Lauren’s realism captivates and appeals to all the senses. Some of her poems express profound love that we cherish and yearn for – she tells you how valuable that love has been in her life.

From ‘The Peach Rose’ to ‘Firestorm’ and not to forget ‘I Was Adopted,’ her poetry slides most naturally on the wide canvas of creativity. However, poems that speak of love, of growing up and bonding are the ones that touched my heart. Who can ever forget ‘The Old Afghan,’ which is most relatable!

I haven’t read a more beautiful description of sunset – “The sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows – brighter with every second. It’s as though a painter swished her brush back and forth…”
Some more examples of Scott’s brilliant style:
“And water hasnt caressed the hills
The earth, parched like Chile’s Atacama.”
“Silk-thread drizzles dusted rooftops and parched hills.”
“How he tenderly tiptoed through the syllables.”(I could feel the poignancy of the emotion)

A combination of free verse and syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma etc. this is a lovely collection of poetry. Read it slowly to savor each emotion.

Thank you again, Balroop! ❤️

My book is available in paperback and e-book versions.

If you’ve already bought a copy, Thank you! And if you’re currently reading my collection, I hope you’re enjoying it and discovering the reward of living ever so gently. And just a gentle reminder that book reviews are like hugs to Indie Authors, so your ‘hug’ would be greatly appreciated. 🙏🏻

Thank you for stopping by and for your support! Visit Balroop’s post here.

Wishing you a marvelous Monday!
~ Lauren 💖

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

Wishing you a marvelous Monday!
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.