Category: Poetry

One Step Closer

On 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 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 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.

Lauren Scott (c) 2022

The Sandwich

On 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 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 ❤️

I didn’t know you then

On 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 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.

Lauren Scott (c) 2022