Time is flying, minutes are passing by at lightning speed, the days are staying lighter a little longer, and tomorrow, Wednesday, January 31st, is the last day to vote! Again, thank you to Dagmara and her team for publishing my work. I’m honored to be nominated for this award, and to be among wonderful friends who are amazing writers! As far as I’m concerned, we’re all winners! 🎉🎉
To vote, you’ll need to log in, and I know this can be challenging. But I do appreciate your time, effort, and support! I really do! 🙏
In order to cast your vote, simply clickhere. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️
I’ll leave you with a poem from my book (the poem from which my book found its title) to guide you through today and days to come.I’ve shared it before, so enjoy for another reading!
Ever So Gently
Sometimes we get lost in our thoughts… losing focus of the stars lighting up the night sky. We tumble too deeply into the frontal lobe, allowing negative thoughts to awaken, to throw a tantrum.
Remember, the breeze carries burdens down rivers and across oceans, majestic trees sway with joy, sheltering from shadows, and the light shines even if only a slight glimmer slips through.
Its glow will grow ever so gently into a bright beacon of hope rising with the golden sun bringing clarity to our vision.
With the holidays upon us, my memory can’t help but reel back a few decades. Our parents were still alive, all of their grandkids were young, and those big, noisy family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas were anticipated with excitement. Sure, giving and receiving gifts at Christmas time is rewarding and fun (in that order), but what I truly miss is ‘the noise, the laughter, the chaos, the loved ones’ (section 2 of my book). And I remember when our daughter and son were precious little bundles of joy. The elation my husband and I felt when our family became 3 then 4, and then complete. Don’t misunderstand though – returning to the past isn’t my wish, I’m simply reminiscing. So, I’ve shared this poem before that you’ll find in the same section of my book. But because these images have come to life once again, I’d like to share it one more time. I hope you don’t mind, and perhaps, you’ll relate to my nostalgic frame of mind…
First Breath
With every new miracle of life answers aren’t scripted in the stars, but I knew since your very first breath my life would become yours.
Through innocent eyes and curious touch each new discovery you shared, your smile grew bigger than the sun, your heart’s elation declared.
You stowed dreams in the clouds, imaginings rose higher than the heavens. Cuddling you in that first euphoric light made me fall in love with you in seconds.
Life has blossomed into delight and wonder in every part of its glowing greatness, and with each ounce of my being, my enduring love for you is ageless.
Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is always so kind and generous to support authors in promoting their books, and I’m thrilled that she featured my latest, Ever So Gently. If you haven’t met Sally, please visit her site. She is a pillar in this wonderful community. Here’s what Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is all aboutin Sally’s words:
“Smorgasbord Blog Magazine was the follow on to a physical newsletter that I published every month for two years, on subscription to listeners to my radio show.. I expanded the original format which was mainly health articles, to including book marketing, music, humour, lifestyle, cookery and food and short stories. My aim was to create a watering hole that provided a wide number of topics to chat about….This has now developed further to provide a platform for other authors to share their work. This year the blog celebrates twelve years, ten of them as Smorgasbord Blog Magazine.”
In this series authors were invited to share an excerpt of 500 words from any of their published books .
Submissions are now closed for this series but there will be another in early 2024.. My thanks to all who have participated.
Today I am sharing a poem by Lauren Scott…from her recent releaseEver So Gently: A Collection of Poems.
About the collection
In Ever So Gently, Lauren Scott shares her strong link to nature, taking the reader on a tranquil walk through a redwood grove. You’ll find an invitation to sit quietly on a patio, captivated by the simple beauty of a hummingbird. She’ll entice you to revel on the shore of a freshwater lake, mesmerized by its stunning beauty.
Scott shares how love has shaped her life. From that first delicious kiss to celebrating decades of marriage through a love that deepens over time. How her heart melted when she became a mom, then ached when her children started their adult lives across country. And how her adorable canine companions found their way into her heart.
Scott underscores how life presents mysteries we struggle to solve. We can’t help but ponder the deeper meaning of a simple vision. She prompts you to reminisce and reflect on your past, present, and future. Through the ups and downs, what matters most is to love and live ever so gently.
Book trailer created by Robbie Cheadle with my photos.
One of the poems from the collection in honour of Lauren’s father-in-law:
She Listens
He cares for his father whose body tires, pain raging at cyclone force from one hundred years of living a lifetime. Yes, one hundred years! We were thrilled to celebrate this monumental milestone, but our emotions undulate – who wishes to watch a loved one suffer?
Another week of work comes to an end. With glass of wine in hand, we exhale on the patio. Then the sun says, “Good night, my dear friends,” as he descends, making room for the moon.
And when the moon appears, Oh, my! She takes our breath away! Bright and bold as if she senses we could use light in our souls. She pays attention, but most importantly, she listens. And though the stars act a bit bashful, they eavesdrop, and we are fine that they do.
The moon and stars hear us, just an ordinary couple enjoying a Friday evening but with heavy hearts. Their absolute attention, imagine this, out of all eyes gazing at the brilliant sky – we know the moon’s lustrous presence is for us alone.
Then we rise from our seats and head into the house, feeling relaxed from the wine’s fluidity, and appreciative that our troubles have been received.
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.
Lauren Scott is a poet and writer of short stories, both fiction and reflections of her life. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matthew, and their lab, Copper; they have two grown children.
She has authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee, and her latest book is a poetry collection, Ever So Gently, that was released in July 2023. Her poetry has been published on Spillwords Press, and she was voted author of the Month for May 2023. Lauren is a contributing author in the anthologies, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships (2022) and This is How We Grow (2023).
She has recently finished her first children’s book and is working with her illustrator, planning to publish it in early 2024. Her writing inspiration comes from love of family, spending time in the great outdoors, and finding joy in the simple things.
Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. Sally.
Thanks again, Sally, and thanks to you who have purchased my book and who have written wonderful reviews. The happy dance continues and my heart is full of gratitude. ❤️❤️
My latest collection of poetry – I prompt you to reminisce and reflect on your past, present, and future. Through the ups and downs, what matters most is to love and live ever so gently. Please click on the link to purchase your copy. Thank you to those who have bought a copy and who have shared wonderful reviews. My heart is full of gratitude.💙🩵💙
Thank you for visiting today. Have a wonderful day and week ahead! ❤️
Happy Friday! Hubby and I are finally feeling human again after being down with our first spell of Covid. The last few weeks reminded me of a poem from my recent book. And even though I’ve shared it before, I feel it’s a good reminder for all of us. I hope you feel the same…
Life is like a package wrapped in festive paper. The matching ribbons fascinate in their delicate, entwined company, fingers gently unravel, heartbeats increase from excitement. We lift the lid, peek inside, letting our inner child frolic to the forefront of our minds.
But unlike recyclable paper, the gift of life cannot be tossed back into the universe. There is no spare awaiting on the sidelines, and we should be mindful that the contents require tenderness with instructions solely for each one of us individually, because as visible as a ruby rose in a garden of white daisies…
we are beautifully unique.
Once we follow these with gratitude and vivacity, the purpose of our gift will reveal itself as naturally as moonlight on a night darker than the deepest sea.
My latest collection of poetry – I prompt you to reminisce and reflect on your past, present, and future. Through the ups and downs, what matters most is to love and live ever so gently. Please click on the link to purchase your copy. Thank you to those who have bought a copy and who have shared wonderful reviews. My heart is full of gratitude.💙🩵💙
And thank you for visiting today. Have a wonderful weekend! ❤️
More beautiful reviews have arrived for my latest book, Ever So Gently, and I couldn’t be happier! How can I not enjoy the view from Cloud 9 or dance like no one is watching! Or dance when anyone is watching! So, a Huge Thank you to my wonderful author friends, Smitha, Carol, and Abbie, for their lovely reviews. But most importantly, I feel gratitude in my heart because they truly enjoyed my new poetry collection. And now for the reviews:
I have longed to read this book of poems ever since I saw the cover and the book’s name, but mostly because I had read ‘More than Coffee’ by Lauren Scott and loved it. I was surprised to learn that the cover of this book, which is a beautiful shade of blue-green, had been painted by the poet’s son. It perfectly goes with the book title and the theme of the poems in the book. It also represents the poet’s kind and loving nature, which comes across repeatedly in all her writing. Lauren Scott’s poetry will help you find your bearings again if you’re in a quandary or feel lost. The poems are like a breath of fresh air. They will make you see things differently and appreciate things you have been taking for granted. Ever so gently comes with a relevant message- ‘To be gentle’ at all times in your actions and responses to situations and to those around you. Lauren Scott does a lovely job of packaging this message with beautiful imagery that will touch the heart. In Lauren’s words, “Ever So Gently expresses the gentle demeanor in which I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges.” She adds, “succeeding in ‘gentle’ may not happen around the clock, so if I slip up, I will try again.” Although the poems are autobiographical in nature, it is bound to strike a chord because Lauren Scott talks of experiences that all of us have experienced or will experience at some point in our lives- memories of childhood, growing up, finding love, death of parents, parenthood, sibling love, feelings of becoming an empty-nester, nature, love of and for a pet. There are around seventy-five odd poems of varying structures in the book that take you on a journey of the poet’s life and experiences and will leave you thinking of your own. The book is for everyone who wants to reboot and a great reminder to live better lives. I highly recommend this book.
I needed time to linger over and savor Lauren Scott’s poetry. This accessible collection of poems is divided into three parts: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones; and Lost in Thought all evoking a wide spectrum of observations and memories. This is definitely a collection to be read and reread for its uplifting and thought-provoking ideas.
In this world where there is so much violence it is refreshing to read about the beauty of Nature and everyday experiences, as simple as it may be to wanting a new sofa. She uses her poetry to remind us to start our day smiling and to appreciate our aging bodies.
Pay Attention!
Much of her poetry is about recording her observations:
Can the sun slipping behinddowny clouds be more spectacular?
Lauren Scott shows that she is fearless in exposing her love, her joys, her sorrows and her dreams.
After reading More Than Coffee, I wanted to read more by this author. Ever So Gently didn’t disappoint me.
I like the variety of subject matter in this collection. Some poems are about nature while others are about humans. Some are light while others cover more serious topics.
Because I’m an animal lover, my favorite was “I Was Adopted,” which is written from the point of view of the author’s Labrador. “Lost Conversation with Dad” reminded me of losing my own father. I could relate to “When Life Throws Us Curveballs” and “We Find an Escape” and like the way she ends the collection on a hopeful note with the title poem, “Ever So Gently.”
The editor’s introduction at the beginning and the author’s acknowledgements at the end add a nice touch. Although this collection is short, the poems are meant to be read more than once and savored.
Gratitude fills my heart Radiant, energetic All aglow, and my feet Tap to the beat of joy, Inhaling excitement That resumes because of Unconditional support Dazzling from friends Ever So Gently! ~Lauren Scott 💜
My book is available on Amazon by clicking on the image. Thanks to you who have bought a copy! I hope you have enjoyed or are enjoying this personal collection. And if so, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review on Amazon – your thoughts can be elaborate or they can be short and sweet. I appreciate all! I can’t thank Smitha, Carol, and Abbie enough, and everyone who has reviewed my book on Amazon and Goodreads!
I’m delighted to be featured on Sally’s blog today where she shares her truly lovely review of my poetry collection, Ever So Gently. Here’s a sneak peek of the review:
What a delightful, thought provoking and emotive collection of poetry from Lauren Scott.
I savoured each of the three segments of the book. I was engaged from the first poem to the last as the author shared her reflections on nature, her love of family through early days, love and loss, and her thoughts on life, the people around us, the world and the universe.
In the ‘Wisdom of Nature’ Scott captures the essence of the natural world around us, the majesty of the redwood and the colours of autumn. Feathered visitors with tributes such as in ‘The Humming Bird’s Quest’ and ‘Feathered Friends’. There is also recognition of how the tragedy of wildfires can devastate lives leaving nothing but ashes.
To continue reading the review, click on the link below that will take you to Sally’s wonderful blog. Thanks again, Sally! 🩷
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 