Thank you for visiting, and I wish you a wonderful week!❤️
My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚
Ariel’s Song by Dawn Pisturino is a beautiful and evocative collection of sixty-five poems – a collection that she lovingly dedicates to her daughter whose name is Ariel. The poems were written over a period of three decades touching on topics of love, family, children, death, nature, and the unique. Some rhyme and others are free in their styles from traditional sonnets that invited me to contemplate, to twisted limericks that made me laugh. I had many favorites, but I’m sharing snippets from a few, otherwise, this review would turn into a novel.
Many poems brought a sense of nostalgia. “November” evoked memories of when the season changed into golds, yellows, and reds, the air brought a chill, and my parents were still with us, enjoying family weekends at our cabin – everyone was young, and the future looked brighter than ever.
When November came, We sat around the kitchen table after dark, Telling chilling tales Of ghosts and other phantoms of the night, While wooden logs crackled and burned On the old stone hearth, And a cold wind wrapped its spectral arms Around the ancient wooden cottage…
Dawn writes of her late father in “Rapping” which stirred emotions of my mother-in-law who departed from our world over thirty years ago. Our daughter was born the same year that Diane passed, and one evening from downstairs, we heard footsteps on the carpeted staircase when our little girl was sound asleep in her crib. No one else was in the house with us. So, was it Diane stealing a glance at her first precious grandchild? We imagined it was, and so we believed.
As a nature lover with a grateful heart for each new day “When the Morning Comes” hit home and really should be hung on refrigerators:
When the morning comes, Sun will shine with a different light, Earth will glow in a brand-new way, Moon will dance to a gayer tune, Clouds of pain will float away. Broken hearts will beat again, Empty eyes will see new life, Throats will open up and sing, Hands will break the chains of strife…
“I Hate Snakes” made me laugh out loud, but I can relate so well to the sentiments. Dawn’s vivid imagery summoned me along to explore with her in ‘the jungle’ and her frightening experience with snakes reminded me of my first encounter with a spider, which eventually turned into arachnophobia, causing a never-ending turbulent relationship with the creepy-crawlies.
I HATE SNAKES
I pushed open the creaky door to look inside And froze in shock at what I saw: Slithering, crawling, scaly snakes Formed a moving carpet on the floor, Entwining in an intimate embrace, Lying together in a clump of shimmering bodies, Moving slowly and surely in the rotten shadows. We beat a hasty retreat And never visited our ‘jungle’ again. And that’s why, even today, I HATE SNAKES!
Dawn’s collection of lovely, witty, and occasionally dark poetry, offers a verse and a sense of familiarity for everyone. Highly recommended for all poetry enthusiasts!
Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend ahead! ❤️
My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚
It’s time for another happy dance! I’m thrilled to read Dawn’s beautiful review of my book this morning. Below is a little peek…
Poetry Book Review: “Ever So Gently”
BY DAWN PISTURINO ON APRIL 28, 2024
Ever So Gentlyby Lauren Scott (2023). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/6VKTDPu.
Lauren Scott’s latest poetry collection reflects the inner life of the poet as she seeks to bring serenity and harmony into her world.
In “Messages from the Sea,” her verses paint a vivid portrait of nature, using keen observations and sensitive emotional reactions:
“listen intently inhale, exhale, feel the calm your soul will thank you”
Her signature poem, “Ever So Gently,” reminds us to leave our negative thoughts behind and enjoy the positive things around us:
“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”
Please visit Dawn’s post to read her full review, and if you haven’t met Dawn yet, spend some time at her site to immerse yourself in her evocative and lovely poetry.
Thanks again, Dawn! I’m delighted with your wonderful review! But most importantly, I’m grateful that you enjoyed my poetry and found poems that touched you. ❤️
Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful week ahead! ❤️
My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! 💚
Can you believe that I’ve never written a limerick? Well, I felt inspired and had fun with these attempts. Some are witty, but a few are more serious. So, I hope you enjoy, and if I made you laugh or others resonated, let me know in the comments below. And remember, these are attempts, so go easy on me! 😃❤️
A teen Copper. He’s now a senior.
Copper
There once was a dog named Copper Who sported a nice set of choppers. He’d wiggle for treats. His favorite were meats. He’d be the best eager shopper!
Clouds
The clouds hang gloomy and gray Not making for a very fine day. But joy lives in hearts. Takes one thought to start invoking a warm, glowing ray!
Doe
There once was a beautiful doe. She didn’t know which way to go. Her hills were so dry, She wanted to cry, Still, some say change isn’t so!
Mallards
Mallards relax on the water Unaware of the human spotter. They find their mate, A temporary date, Then succumb to the steadfast stalker!
African Gray
The African Gray talks up a storm. His conversing is part of his norm. He’ll say “Good morning!” Flap his wings for soaring. He mimics and loves to perform!
Sam and Pam
She lives in a web and her name is Sam. She loves her twin sister whose name is Pam. Their conduct is friendly. They spin their silk gently. But they keep to their own, so scram!
She’s Smart
She’s smart but lacks self-confidence. She builds many walls and a fence. Prefers to stay home, Would rather not roam, Her way of thinking doesn’t make sense.
Women
Women’s bodies are a topic. Some thoughts are myopic. It is their choice. They have a voice. Their value is not microscopic!
Diagnosis
The diagnosis came September. Sad news I will remember. I had to adjust. Accepting, a must, Though pain like a burning ember!
Young Lab
There once was a friendly, young lab With energy delightfully fab. He loved belly rubs. Hated baths in the tub. He gave big, toothy smiles, never sad!
Bloom
Flowers delight in vivid bloom To adore through the month of June. Their colors so brilliant, Grown with resilience, Brings sneezes and a feeling of doom!
I’ve done a lot of reflecting on the days building up to my recent 59th birthday (repeated a few times). 🙂 The quiet moments of contemplation were due to my health being challenged in the last year, but I’m not going to put you to sleep with pain-talk. You see, every new day is a precious gift, and birthdays are a chance to celebrate another year of life, so what better reason do we need?
There is no better reason, but I admit to feeling less than celebratory because of these changes my poor body has endured. These two health conditions are here to stay. I can’t bid them farewell, so I’m coming to terms with them, albeit a slow process. And even though things could be worse, it doesn’t negate what I’m experiencing – essentially, a new chapter in my book. Thus, my excitement to blow out the candles this go around felt contained instead of free. Are my feelings justified? Living with pain can be a downer. And I know that I’m at an age when health can change.
And yet, without a support circle to help keep my chin up, it would be much harder to focus on the good. And ‘the good’ is what keeps me moving forward! And moving forward is the best direction! I know there will be hiccups and hurdles but taking life ‘one day at a time’ never sounded so wise.
I chose to get an epidural which gave me the heebie-jeebies, but it finally kicked in, so I’m feeling better. Not 100%, but better enough to do some walking and smiling on my special day. The celebration spanned over four days of sipping Chardonnay, indulging in delicious food, and receiving wonderful gifts. I reveled in the joy of blowing out the candles on the carrot cake (my favorite)! Part of the fun was when my hubby, son, and I strolled around a local, charming beach town. My daughter and son-in-law celebrated from Tennessee! She and I recently had one of our iconic phone chats where even we broke our own record – we talked for 5 hours! It was awesome! Anyway, back to the beach, I was grateful for this pain-free day. It felt good to ‘feel good.’ 🙏
It was lovely to see a touch of spring. Flowers from hubby. YUM!!!
We enjoyed a sinfully delicious dinner that night, and afterwards, we took a drive that lead us to a beautiful spot for taking in the lights and the stunning moon. My hubby gets credit for the last shot.
And now a slight detour, if you missed my previous post about my interview on Spillwords Press, and you’d like to check it out, the link is: https://spillwords.com/spotlight-on-writers-lauren-scott/. It was an honor to be chosen to participate in their series: Spotlight on Writers. Feel free to give it a ❤️ or to leave a comment. I’d be grateful if you would! 🤗🙏
So, Cheers to celebrating life, one day at a time, and to relishing in the blessings and beautiful beginnings that birthdays offer! 🎉🙏
Thanks SO much for stopping by, and I truly wish you all good health. ~Lauren 💝
Today, I am excited to tell you about We Are Poetry written by my dear friend, Kym Gordon Moore. Whenever I visit Kym’s blog, From behind the Pen, I’m either informed or inspired. I always leave with an important topic to ponder or a reminder to simply feel grateful. Her book is more than a collection of poems, which of course, would be a gift in its own right. As the title indicates, Kym’s book is filled with layers of insight about this genre as though it exists like you and me. Any school would benefit from including We Are Poetry in its curriculum. In fact, if I had pursued my youthful dream of becoming a teacher ‘when I grew up,’ her beautiful and insightful book would have been a useful tool in my classroom. Through Kym’s observations, she offers a glimpse into the beauty, benefits, and diversity of verse, fluidly dividing the book into her lessons.
In the beginning, I was captivated by her responses to how others feel that poetry is disenchanting and boring. If you share the same opinion, after turning the last page, I would be surprised to learn that you did not change your way of thinking. I felt empowered at the end of each chapter, and definitely after absorbing her powerful poem, “I Am.” Below are the first few lines that will surely entice you:
They say I am nothing in my someone-ness traverse into a flow of the seen but not heard nonexistent, divisible where liberty is not just not considered worthy to speak or to be respected just an invisible occupation of space you think that of me yet my existence is more than the archives of silence I am.
The desire to spread a soft blanket “Under the Poet Tree” swept over me:
Where leaves rustle at the sound of verses and stanzas wind blowing through branches of poetic expressions growing from a trunk that holds a history of adventure a journey rooted deep in the soil of passion and purpose
artistic thoughts born from the birth canal of the poet whether touched or sniffed, tasted or heard the sight of what thine eyes can envision a uniqueness speaking from blood running through the heart
should the soul wander in the essence of written words as the fruit of poetry replants the seeds that grow flourishing into an orchard of endless poet trees hunger satisfied from the picnic basket of a bard
inspiration blossoms like new spring buds creativity unfurling through the pores of my mind life takes on new meaning of literary excellence under the poet tree shrouded by a poet’s design
Kym speaks about the architecture of poetry, its healing voice, how it fights against illiteracy. She invites you into her memories of the simple times where you’ll find yourself tucked into your cozy car, munching on popcorn, enjoying a great film. She pulls you into the delight of paper kites and county fair fun. She has you weeping alongside Mother Earth, and when life doesn’t go as you plan, she implores you to not cry over spilled milk; instead, pour another glass! There is an emotion for everyone in this lovely book waiting to be drawn out. Highly recommended for all readers!
I hope you’ll leave my site today with a copy of Kym’s book on order. You will be glad that you did! Thanks so much for stopping by! ❤️
A collection of poems that speaks of nature’s healing touch, howlove shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚
For those of you who have asked, I’m feeling better since that post a couple of weeks ago. But I’m still working through two health conditions that began last year – a double whammy. Changes are constant, but when those changes are permanent and challenging, it takes time to figure out how to live them. As with anything, time will tell and help me decide what do to next. But I’m thankful to feel a little better with no brain fog. Anyway, enough of that, and now on with my exciting news!
I was surprised to find this beautiful review of my book from Michelle Ayon Navajas on this Monday morning. And I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my week. Her wonderful words truly touched me, so, I had to share her full review:
“The sky is the limit” they say, but I think not even the sky has the power to limit the endless possibilities of how our minds work.
I was struggling with Reena’s prompt this week. Not for anything else but simply because I wanted it to be a motivational piece, and maybe I suck at writing motivational pieces so I had to put this prompt aside and went to write my long overdue review of Lauren Scott’s book “Ever So Gently”.
I was down with the last pages of the book, when an epiphany happened. This book is about the quote prompt of Reena; “I think if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities.” – Mario Testino
“Ever So Gently” is a collection of soul-soothing journey pieces of poetry packed up with calming scenes of early morning communion with nature. It is with our interaction with nature that we discover the endless possibilities about life and living it to the fullest. “The sky is the limit” they say, but I think even the sky would be jealous at how beautiful Lauren wrote her collection.
‘In Good Company’ begins: “We stroll among redwood trees, our steps slow down, we are in good company.”
I could almost feel the magical power in my hands through Lauren’s lyrical prose, and we know that when one believes in magic (magic happens).
“Clouds understand why we wait.” This is one of my adored lines from the book. Clouds may have a “not so good reputation” for bringing in heavy rains or for signaling the coming of a storm (could be both literal and metaphorical), but in her book, Lauren had me stopped and pondered. Clouds, after all aren’t that bad. It can be a sign of something good or better. It can be a friend who gives us a signal or warning that a rain is coming, we must be ready. So, clouds do give us the chance to prepare and be ready for the challenges we may encounter as the rain pours.
‘First Breath’, is my favorite. It is about a mother’s love, the reason being my favorite is obvious. I am mother and anything that speaks highly of a mother’s love is grately admired by me.
“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.”
Every child is a blessing and Lauren said it so beautifully in this poem. It also brought me to tears and reminded me of my own journey as a mother to four beautiful daughters.
Lauren’s book is not only about creating and opening doors of possibilities but also of celebrating wonderful memories.
Her communion with nature brings forth wisdom of mother earth that unfolds through her 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.”
This book will surely uplift your spirit, and make you fall in love with love, create more memories with your loved ones, and appreciate nature even more. If you are not the type who loves to taka quiet walk in the morning or early in the evening, this book will make you wanna grab your walking or running and go for a short easy- breezy walk. As for me who used to run in around my neighborhood, it made me miss those moments. I said “used to” because I no longer do it as often as I do it before pandemic.
Here are some of Lauren’s memorable imagery:
“The sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows – brighter with every second. It’s as though a painter swished her brush back and forth…”
“And water hasnt caressed the hills The earth, parched like Chile’s Atacama.”
“Silk-thread drizzles dusted rooftops and parched hills.”
Lauren wrote in various poetic styles and forms from free versse to syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma – this collection will not bore you. She made these forms looked so easy to write.
Lauren emphasizes how mysterious life is. She also made me ponder deeper into the essence of my own existence while reflecting upon my journey in life, and that at the end of it all no matter how difficult life is, we must not forget to love and live life ever so gently.
This book is best read with a hot chocolate or a coffee as you curl up and savor each poem.
Visit Lauren’s blog to read more of her brilliant poetry:
A collection of poems that speaks of nature’s healing touch, howlove shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚
Since it’s Friday, I thought this song would be good to share. It’s one of my all-time favorites. And I wish I felt like dancing, but the truth is…my body and head haven’t been feeling the best lately. My energy has been low and my brain has been foggy. Anything that requires full concentration hasn’t been at the top of my list like working on my children’s book with my nephew, reading, writing book reviews that are long overdue, writing anything, and reading blogs. So, I am very sorry for missing your wonderful blog posts, but I just haven’t been myself. It’s all I can do to write this to update you. And it’s not for sympathy. I just want you to know why I haven’t been around that much. I hope that my energy will return a little more over the weekend because there is so much I want to do! Sigh. Anyway, I leave you with this song, so Dance and enjoy today and your weekend to come. I’m turning off comments, but just know I appreciate you! ❤️
