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/

~Lauren Scott ❤️

Boots

On February 19, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry46 Comments

Lauren Scott (c)
Photo: Deer Park, Fairfax, CA

I didn’t know you then

On February 14, 2022February 14, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry45 Comments

I didn’t know you then
on that high school campus.
I didn’t pass you by
in the halls of science.

In language of your peers,
your name was common.
I, the wallflower.
You, the chameleon.

You blended into anywhere.
I had my one special niche.
The music building, my haven
just across the bridge.

Popularity didn’t seek me out.
You sported that football jersey.
My legs marched in drill team.
The players didn’t see me.

You and she were solid,
but off, again and again.
We stumbled through the years.
I was meant to meet him.

Then in between the lines,
our paths meandered together.
The reason happened for us.
Life was changed, perfect, better.

Lauren Scott (c) 2022
Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️

The Gift

On February 10, 2022February 10, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry38 Comments

Life is like a package
placed in our cupped hands,
wrapped in festive paper,
tied in matching ribbons
we unravel first.
Heartbeat increases
from excitement
of what we’ll find.
We lift the lid,
peek inside,
but unlike paper,
recyclable,
the gift of life
cannot be tossed back
into the universe.
No spare awaits
on the sidelines.
The contents
require tenderness,
but first lies a set
of instructions
unique to the recipient,
as visible as
a red rose in
a garden of daisies.
If those guidelines
are followed
with gratitude, bravery,
and tenacity,
the purpose of our gift,
so delicately given,
will come as naturally
as the moon on a night,
deeper than the deepest sea.

Healdsburg

On February 7, 2022February 7, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry46 Comments

Thirty-three years to celebrate,
we cruise up the coast
passing lush green hills of January,
gripping the wheel from wind’s thrust.

The plaza pulls us in with its charm,
shops shimmer in their zeal for patrons,
the sun blazes, temperature warm,
windows entice with appealing apparel.

“You look like I need a drink of wine,”
words on a hand towel with pizzazz.
“With every glass of wine comes wisdom,”
a neighboring towel claims to add.

Shelves stocked with crafts, so cheery,
persuading to purchase without effort.
This store carries us to Rose Apothecary.
Where are David and Patrick?

Arches and patios show off twinkle lights
for when the moon shines her splendor.
We feast on pulled pork and slaw,
Chardonnay and Pliny the Elder.

Laughter’s in the air, picnics on blankets,
a man strums and sings like Paul Simon.
A man with a backpack eyes the banquets,
a dog licks his chops with a plan.

Great eats and drinks, and fun souvenirs,
loose cash spent, plastic card dented,
another toast for three more decades,
moments to share, a life so splendid.

Photo: Anniversary flowers ❤️

A Blooming Conundrum

On December 6, 2021 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry56 Comments

sunlight fashions smiles
lifting faces to the blue
they sense springtime has
sidled up next to autumn
craving notoriety

rainfall quenches thirst
nourishment long awaited
wilted leaves revive

bright petals unfold
shivering with elation
winter watches with
concern as the months of spring
have seemingly reappeared

Lauren Scott (c) 2021
Photos from our yard with
thoughts from November.

If the Universe Would Share

On December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry54 Comments

Look to the galaxy, My Love.
The blue luminous star
I desire to be yours.
If the universe would share,
I’d pull the shimmering beauty
from the constellations
and place it in the palm
of your hands
next to my beating heart.
I wish we could sit upon
a slow-moving cloud,
dangling our legs
into freedom.
Our eyes would show
the emotion in our hearts.
Lips would touch, tenderly,
then with hunger
reeling through our veins
like magnetic energy.
We’d fall into
pleasant intoxication,
watching moonbeams
pierce our private night sky.

More Than Coffee – by Lauren Scott

On November 24, 2021 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry40 Comments

Resa at Graffiti Lux Art & More surprised me with this elegant and gracious review of my book, More than Coffee. I am so happy she enjoyed my book to a level that would spark such a beautiful reaction. Another reason for me to be grateful!
For those of you who don’t know Resa, she is a photographer who features stunning Street Art of other cities around the globe through travels and guest contributors. Taking these photos is a passion of hers that brings immense joy. Each work of graffiti art or mural evokes thoughts in her, and these thoughts are reflected in the titles of her blog posts. I encourage you to pay her a visit! Thanks again, Resa! xo

Graffiti Lux Art & More

As a person who enjoys poetry and coffee, the decision to read Lauren’s well written book was a no-brainer. As a matter of fact, I languished over every poem and bit of prose. For 33 mornings, I read one piece with my coffee.

Each day’s reading brought me warm thoughts, stirred feelings and created a desire to be creative. What a great and positive way to start the day.

In this intimate look at her and her family, nature plays a huge part in stirring memories of irreplaceable experiences, both uplifting and occasionally heartbreaking. All emotions are expressed beautifully in positive light.