Poetry Treasures 2: Available now!

On April 11, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry18 Comments

I am thrilled to announce that Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships is now available, and I am honored to be one of the contributors in this lovely anthology. This collection consists of poems from 12 authors and was compiled by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle. If you’re a fan of poetry, here is the link to purchase your copy: https://books2read.com/u/3kP8aK
The book tour will take place from April 25 – May 1, so watch for it then. Happy Reading! ❤️

Writing to be Read

Yes! It’s finally here.

If, like me, you thoroughly enjoy Robbie Cheadle’s “Treasuring Poetry” blog series and can’t wait for her posts to come out each month, then you’ll be as excited as I am to learn that Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships is available at your favorite book distributors now!

Relationships are golden and each of

Arthur Rosch, Elizabeth Merry, D Avery, Robbie Cheadle, Harmony Kent, Lauren Scott, JulesPaige,

Leon Stevens, Colleen M. Chesebro, Miriam Hurdle,

M JMallon, and Lynda McKinney Lambert

pay poetic tribute to their most intense

personal moments.

That’s right folks. Now you can get this wonderful collection of poetic gems by Robbie and her 2021 “Treasuring Poetry” guests all in one place. We’ll be doing a book blog tour April 25 – May 1 so you can learn more about the amazing treasures contained within, but you don’t have to wait.

Just click on the

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Bananas

On April 8, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry45 Comments

Swinging from the chandelier
I’m overwhelmed from toes to ear
I know it’s time to walk the frog
Can’t just sit, type, and blog
I’d love to dye my hair bright red
Could you spare a needle and thread?
Reaching for the coffee cup
Time to fill and pet the pup
In the wind, I feel so free
Would you like a cup of tea?
I’d love to swim and read a book
It’s five o’clock, what shall I cook?
Staring at the vacuum cleaner
I wonder why the fish are meaner
Planets aren’t aligned, at all
Let’s go shopping at the mall
I could talk and talk for miles
but only if you share more smiles

Lauren Scott (c)
This poem is from my first book, New Day, New Dreams
Photo: Google

I thought some Friday silly would be in order
to bring some laughter and smiles into your day.

❤️❤️❤️

The Effects

On April 5, 2022April 5, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry44 Comments

Blossoms feel poorly
from absence of rainwater
darkened clouds inept
blooms exploding with vibrant
colors now wear faded hues

Petals caught in an
unprovoked lasting combat
friendly faces sad
their leaves brittle and drooping
green thumb’s joy crushed to the ground

Bucks, does, and fawns live
in open space where the road
meets the hills, but drought
merged its parchedness upon
the land that nourished their souls

Now they mosey through
busy neighborhoods seeking
sustenance, unaware cars
don’t know the grave difference
eyes of drivers distracted

Turning back time is
not an option for saving
flora and fauna
who have fallen victim to
this climate alteration

Is the cause labeled
debated on both sides with
no agreement reached?
If we all did our small part
a rescue could come, maybe

One Step Closer

On April 1, 2022April 1, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry53 Comments

Overcome fears that attempt to control us

Navigate well-planned itineraries and give ourselves encouragement

Examine individual expectations to evade unnecessary pressure

Stay focused, don’t allow visions to become clouded

Turn negativity into optimism, energize minds

Embrace the “can do” instead of dwelling on the “can’t”

Pray for patience and less need for immediate results

Combine dreams with reality and stretch thought abilities

Leave failed attempts buried in the forgiving past

Open eyes to new, plausible, and stimulating opportunities

Support ourselves to avoid preventable disappointments

Edge towards much anticipated, thrilling finish lines

Remember to view the cup half full; half empty will only deter.

Lauren Scott (c) 2022
Happy Friday and Happy April! ❤️

If only…

On March 4, 2022March 4, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry32 Comments

Hearts can shatter if beaten down.
Souls can be crushed if pounded.
Judging others isn’t a right.
People should be allowed to live
the life they were intended.
Why is violence the solution
for those who loathe
a culture or religion?
Special nuances making up
each of us are nobody’s business.
Differences afford knowledge.
Opening our hearts and minds,
what a beautiful world…If only.
How drab the vision
outside our windows would look
if we were identical in every minute
aspect of our inner and outer selves.
Your world, My world,
would turn colorless.
Respecting and accepting:
unoriginal, but words repeated
again and again
until the narratives and visuals
transform.
No one deserves to live
beneath a cloud of pretense
in youth or adulthood.
We all should have the freedom
to live within the arms of truth.
I can only imagine how invisible scars
can create hell for the heart.
Love should be universal throughout
and shouldn’t acquiesce temper.
Love should remain the center
of everyone.
But has kindness and compassion
been shoved under the bus?
Injustice equals disgust.

Lauren Scott (c)

The World Travelers

On February 28, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry34 Comments

In those early years
when possibilities
lined up on their doorstep,
they saw themselves
roaming streets of Italy,
savoring pasta,
sipping Frappato.
They saw themselves
walking streets of France
in a cloud of romance.
They saw themselves
driving roads of Ireland
flanked by lush green
countryside.
But over time, they learned
plans can be navigated
only so far
before life takes the wheel.
They haven’t sipped Frappato
or walked warmly
in that cloud,
and they haven’t
witnessed
that countryside…yet.
But over mountains,
through down pours
and gusty winds,
and days when
sherbet-colored skies
lifted their spirits,
their fingers remained
intertwined.
Not only has love
in their hearts prevailed,
but cravings still carbonated
for each other’s company.
It seems they have traveled
the trip of a lifetime.

The Sandwich

On February 26, 2022February 28, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry31 Comments

I go light on the mayo,
add some Grey Poupon,

layer sliced tomatoes,
pickles and cucumbers,

pile on leaves of romaine
for the final touch,

in between two slices
of whole wheat bread.

The kids are adults,
living on their own.
It’s just hubby and me at home.

Yes, I still make lunches.
I have mastered “the sandwich.”

From turkey to tuna to egg salad
or chicken, to this new veggie delight.

Suddenly, I’m standing in the kitchen,
my kids are little, small shoe sizes
by the door, Lego on the floor in
his room, barbies scattered in hers,
the days in the nineties
when peanut butter and jelly ruled.

I should tally all the peanut butter jars,
jelly flavors or jam, if you prefer,
and slices of bread that
were consumed back then.

The hustle and bustle of early hours
on school-day mornings,
kids tossing a coin for the shower.

Hair dryer working overtime with her long
thick mane. He and I, donning various
hats for our roles as cab driver, cook,
teacher, counselor, hugger, father, mother.

I shake my head, smiling,
in the present on a workday.
I reach for an apple.

Tomorrow, we buy!

Lauren Scott (c) 2022
Photo: Pixabay
Some fun for a Saturday smile.

Behind Closed Doors – Book Review

On February 22, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Poetry119 Comments

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Robbie Cheadle, a wonderful poet and author of children’s books, paranormal historical, and supernatural fantasy. She is also a prolific baker of delicious cakes that she includes in her books and blog posts. I thoroughly enjoyed her poetry book, Behind Closed Doors.

Behind Closed Doors by Robbie Cheadle is a collection of various style poems such as freeform, tanka, haiku, and limerick. Robbie touches on many aspects of life evoking a myriad of emotions. She writes beautifully with strong convictions about marriage, motherhood, dreams, her struggles of working in the corporate world, living in lockdown during the pandemic, and about social issues she finds distressing. Whether her words speak of joy or anguish, they are fiercely passionate.

I personally connected to “Contrasting Colors” because of my strong marriage and relationship with my husband. Robbie creates a lovely metaphorical comparison between her and her husband, showing just how much they complement each other. I really liked the format of this poem. In “He Walks Away” her words paint the picture of her son who is no longer the little boy whose mom’s kisses cured all pain, but a young man who she will need to let go for him to find his way in the world. As an empty nester, my heart felt her bittersweet emotions.

Environmentally, I was drawn to “I saw a fish a-swimming” and “If the polar icecaps doth melt.” Robbie emphasizes the tragic effects of global warming not only on the planet, but on living creatures. She writes with concern and compassion, and some poems are written as twisted limericks bearing nothing but the truth. My stomach felt just as twisted after reading these powerful reminders. But even in trying times, Robbie includes, “Can you see the butterflies?” This poem offers delightful imagery, imploring the reader to dash outside in that very moment to embrace nature’s beauty.

I highly recommend Behind Closed Doors for fans who revel in finding themselves relating to the messages or scenarios, therefore sinking into the deeper meanings.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you’ll pick up a copy of Robbie’s book. Simply click on “Buy on Amazon” below the image. You can also visit Robbie at her blog: https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/