One day the sun guides you with its glorious rays, the world spins in its usual manner, then out of thin air, in the blink of an eye, the cliché is yours, under a sullen sky, plans become fractured. Life is altered in a skipped heartbeat that was slow to join the rhythm of the others. My emotions feel awkward. They seem wilder, body feels heavy as though pewter crowds my veins, but I don’t walk in their shoes. Meeting challenges head-on distracts heart and mind, but in the hush of turmoil, I imagine their emotions will morph into wild too. Until then, questions soar like baseballs out of a batting machine. Some answers remain elusive. Others may be clear as morning dew but tricky to swallow – digesting turns into a test of the human spirit. What comes next? Only uncertainty is for certain.
Last Sunday we took Copper, our 14 1/2 year old puppy, to our favorite state park. The weather was cool but not freezing, just perfect for a walk among the redwoods. Copper loved walking around, taking in the new sights and smells. He can’t hear anymore, so we use hand signals to communicate with him, and we give him lots of hugs and kisses. I took some pics and sent them to our daughter and son who live in TN. and CO. Then I saw an IG post from my daughter that went straight to my heart. She wrote about living far away from ‘her dog’ and missing him so much. I’m going to share it, then I’m going to add a poem written from Copper’s POV. So, this post is a combination of tears and smiles. I hope you enjoy, and maybe you’ll relate too.
From my daughter:
“It’s weird having a dog or any pet be part of your life for a good amount of time but then you move away. Across the country. And rarely see them anymore. And when you do visit once or twice a year, you’re so excited to see them because you know them, but you wonder if they remember or recognize you. And they look older because you’re older. When we first adopted Copper, I was with him for 6 years and was hesitant on adopting another dog after Lucky Girl passed. And now, I’ve been away from him for that same amount of time that I was with him & it’s sad, bittersweet. He’s still got those same amber eyes you get lost in, but he’s a little grayer than he was the previous year. And you just know the inevitable. It’s weird being so far away & not “growing up” with him into adulthood. But when someone asks if I have a dog, I say yes even though it’s only through pictures my mom sends me. I love this boy so much.” ❤️ (This brought us to tears. We miss her enough, and then to read her feelings about living far from Copper just about did us in! Does this scenario sound familiar?)
And now, let’s wipe away those tears and find a smile:
What a Fun Day! (from Copper’s POV)
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for taking me to the park! I took in all the beauty without one single bark!
Oh, the smells were awesome, and the redwoods so tall! I’m pretty tall myself but I felt very small!
Lifting my leg was fun around new territory, I even inspired Mom to tell my canine story!
We walked by the creek hearing water flowing. You said it was peaceful without any wind blowing.
Then we found a table where you ate your lunch and I gulped down my food with a crunch and a munch!
Naptime followed soon when I plopped down on my bed, with every muscle relaxed I laid down my big head.
I know I’m older now; I don’t move very fast, but I’m glad we came here because I really had a blast!
A note from Copper: I hope you liked this post that my mom and I put together! Can you relate? Do you have a dog or cat that melts your heart and whose eyes see right into your soul like mine do? If you do, let my mom know in the comments. And thanks for coming by today! I hope you don’t mind a slobbery kiss from me! ❤️🐶🐾
The vast space of emptiness will never feel right Communication sustains but the heart feels short-lived relief no room for logic the heart carries a stubborn streak
Moments missed Hours missed Days missed fleeting of time The miles from here to there, like a ball of yarn unraveling over hills, through valleys getting snagged on jagged edges along the way
In a daze, I’m slowly slipping down a rabbit hole about to surrender the very best of my soul where darkness cloaks itself around me Air, no longer reality
Sadness befalls the world outside as sky-falling tears slam the earth I’m tumbling with them in a frenzy The first teardrop rolls down my face leaving a chill in its wake before disappearing beneath my jaw My back slides down the wall I’m drenched in sobs
Then reason meets my reflection I challenge my emotions because pain trails closely behind – I’m inviting stress, and I can’t handle one more ache Does this make me selfish?
Humans are complicated Emotions are complicated
Some days, the golden sphere dazzles me into dancing Some days, the shadowy sky lures me into that daze I can feel my heart breaking I can feel each piece tear away I won’t have strength to sweep up the mess…
but this love is stronger than I ever thought I could feel a love in my heart that will need to be the glue… it is what it is ‘till it isn’t anymore maybe someday… until then, the vast space and I will need to reach a truce.
Photo: credit to Literary Revelations Publishing House
Dear Family and Friends!
I have more exciting news to share! I am grateful to Gabriela Marie Milton for the opportunity of being featured on her literary journal today – Literary Revelations! She has published two of my poems: “I Know This” and “Wild Emotions.” I am always in awe of her beautiful, evocative poetry and of the poetry she features of other talented writers. So, thank you, once again, Gabriela! I am on Cloud 9!! ❤️
Literary Revelations has published a myriad of beautiful books. The most recent are Full Moon Confessions by Tracey Anne and Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, in which the art on the cover is by award-winning painter Hikari. I am honored to be a part of this amazing anthology with over 160 poets.
For some reason, WordPress won’t allow me to add book images in the body of the post, so please visit Gabriela’s site here to peruse her wonderful books.
And now I offer you snippets of my poems:
I Know This
We do not live forever, I know this, just as sunlight and moonbeams cannot shine simultaneously. But sometimes I feel he and I will transcend the inevitable. Imagining the opposite is unimaginable…
Wild Emotions
No one listens, no one understands the version of me… My spirit sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor. My sky holds gray clouds with no sign of cerulean. My body suffers heaviness as the hand of death. My mind resides in a muddle of negativity Like a dirge repeating loop after loop… A shadowy corner in my room invites me for an extended stay. Sun rays no longer peek through my curtains Because even my sunken spirit has the sun feeling uncertain…
I hope you’ll visit Gabriela’s post to read the poems in their entirety. My heart would be full of gratitude! You can also click on the link below.
Thank you SO much for stopping by and for your continued support. Words can’t express how thankful I am for you! And I wish you a fabulous day, and a fun Halloween!🙏❤️
You stare at the clock anticipating an answer, and the clock has no idea of the power lying in its hands. The infuriating face meets your stare as if to ask, “What?” You hold onto the words that fell from the tongue like a lifeline since your life resides on the edge. Trust lived in your heart at the time. But syllables soar far above your reach with no substance. The answer has yet to reveal itself. Waiting is a lifetime occupation. So, your fingers form a steady grip around the bottle as you tip it over, pouring…You watch the golden liquid glide over the cubes like ocean waves rolling over ice glaciers. Your logical self desires to perform a task of importance, a distraction, to trick your thoughts and busy your hands. But then your eyes find the clock again. Mind and body become stuck, paralyzed from emotions out of your control, and the only thing that makes sense is indulging in another sip.The burning down your throat is one sensation you can truly understand.
a crutch of liquid soothes frustration of vagueness living in darkness
These reviews are long overdue, but I enjoyed each book equally, all 5 glowing stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I will post my reviews soon on Amazon and Goodreads. 😁
The Contract by John W. Howell and Gwendolyn Plano is a story with romance interwoven between the elements of a thriller and a supernatural. Chapter One had me hooked! Peter and Teresa become Heaven’s representatives on earth to assume the bodies of deceased Brad, who was a Navy Seal, and Sarah, who was a teacher and married to an abusive husband. Together, they are assigned a colossal mission, which produces an action-packed and intriguing story. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I began second-guessing who Brad and Sarah should trust. A fun fact for me was the familiar settings of the town of Davis, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito, all in my ‘backyard.’
I’m sure it isn’t easy coauthoring a book, but the authors did a fabulous job in making sure the writing flowed seamlessly. The thriller element will keep you turning the pages to the very end, and the love story and supernatural qualities will leave you feeling good. A highly recommended book that offers something for everyone!
I don’t normally read phycological thrillers, but when I ran across a blog post promoting Warning Signs by Carol Balawyder, I immediately paid a visit to Amazon. I was already familiar with Balawyder’s wonderful storytelling and was eager to dive into another one of her books. Once my copy arrived, I dove in and finished the book in two days! A definite page-turner! The story of Eugene, the main character, is horrific, but the author’s experience in Police Technology is apparent from beginning to end, which made my experience fascinating. Regarding Eugene’s criminality, Balawyder didn’t paint graphic scenes that would be disturbing. I appreciated this decision in writing the book. The reader learns the crime, can envision the scene, which is horrendous, but then the story progresses with believable supporting characters who attempt to fit the pieces together. They each carry their own baggage that enriches the tale. A twist took me by surprise, but the conclusion is superb. I’ve always loved a good mystery where the characters work diligently to solve a crime. So, I enjoyed this book for the different genre that it was, along with Balawyder’s brilliant writing. Highly recommended!
Ephemeral Encounters (Her Book of Words)by Maggie Watson is an exquisite collection of poems that speaks candidly from the heart. The melody of unrequited love plays throughout the pages. I cozied up with these lovely poems one evening and read from beginning to end. Watson’s language is both accessible and elegant. You’ll discover honesty, raw, yet beauty, throughout each poem – the emotions are palpable. Watson gently adds passion to this mix to keep the reader even more engaged.
Falling in love and being loved are elements of life that are vital to one’s desire to live. It is human nature to hunger for attachment, acceptance, and feeling special. When this love enters into our life, a poet feels inspired to write. And when the ache of a love not meant to be persistently throbs, a poet also feels inspired to write. Watson has compiled a touching, relatable, and profound collection. I have too many favorites to list, so I’ll share one of them that stood out, “Unfinished Symphony” (the first of three parts):
Don’t place flowers on my grave when I die. I am not there. I will be standing right beside you. I will be the wind in your hair. Or keep me in your heart. That is where I always wanted to be. I would have swum across an ocean to be in your arms. But you kept running, and I grew tired. In this world, we could not be lovers. Maybe in the next? You will always be my unfinished symphony.
I highly recommend this poetry book for anyone who has ever been in love or who has nursed a broken heart.
I’ve always been fascinated with packing imagery and emotions into just a few lines of poetry, and haiku is one form that delivers. Dawn Pisturino’s book, Lunar Gazing Haiku, is a beautiful collection of over sixty haiku touching on emotions, passion, spirituality, seasons, and of course, the spectacular moon. I immersed myself into these short yet meaningful poems one morning while enjoying a hot cup of coffee. In the beginning of the book, Pisturino includes the Introduction that offers history on this short Japanese poetry form which I found to be beneficial. Gaining more knowledge by reading enriches the experience while enjoying the content. This short chapbook is meant to be read more than once. Throughout its pages, there is an aspect of life for everyone that will resonate. Highly recommended for all poetry lovers. I enjoyed this entire lovely collection, but a few favorites are:
Fireflies
fireflies in the dark spur childhood imaginings fairy lanterns glow
Autumn
crisp red apples taste sweetest in pie and cider on brisk autumn nights
Healing
mooncakes and water capture moonlight’s silver rays powerful healing
I hope you won’t leave here empty-handed, but thank you for stopping by! Happy reading, Lauren ❤️
How did naiveté slide into her veins? Why were those vessels so accommodating? She had listened intently to his persuasive syllables as they rolled like a lover’s ballad carried on summer’s breeze. They purported to express his love and devotion to her. Hence, the cadence of her heartbeat simulated gentle ocean waves ebbing and flowing beneath a robin egg blue sky. Her mind fuzzy like a delicious wine buzz because that’s what the power of love is capable of, mesmerizing her before his promises landed hard in the branches of the trees, stabbed in retaliation.
How did naiveté leech into her blood transforming its crimson red to a faded replica of weakness? The mirror hanging on the back of her door exposes a reflection of despair, unrecognizable. Yet, she understands the breadth of her situation, but when will the difference between humanity and an arresting performance reveal itself? When will the language flow like a lover’s ballad on summer’s breeze embracing her with warmth and security of compassion and honesty? Or is this simply a dream so far-removed from her reach?
Time mystifies, but with its magical means, her mind has awakened to reality. She releases a sigh of relief, realizing her heart is devoid of fissures. Never again will she place her golden treasure in danger of breaking. She has rid his presence from her precious sunrises. The panacea was inside her all along – a shifting from low self-esteem to self-assurance, an enlightening altering of what she desires for her tomorrows.
The longing in her soul pulses to witness butterflies flutter by again, and deer casually stroll down her street. To witness hummingbirds seeking out soft petals, evoking memories of her beloved mother. It’s not as though butterflies never visited her garden, or deer never strolled by her home, and it’s not like hummingbirds avoided visiting for a sip from her pink geraniums. She just never permitted herself to observe the beauty because her heart became preoccupied, and he was undeserving of its loyalty, frequently opining his needs and unconcerned with hers.
But now she shows great sagacity in making changes after declaring to her reflection in the mirror of what life offers. All she needs to do is invite life in. So, let the chirp of birds echo – delightful sounds of joy outside her window – and let deer stroll in their graceful manners. Let the wind blow, the mountains call, and the waterfalls fall, because blood in her veins now flows rich crimson red!
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 