I am excited to be featured today on Robbie Cheadle’s blog, Robbie’s Inspiration. She is helping with the promotion for my new book, while also sharing her beautiful review of my prior book, More than Coffee. Please visit her site to read more! Thanks again, Robbie! ❤️
Tag: Love
Book release: Ever So Gently!!!!!
I am thrilled to announce the release of my new poetry collection, Ever So Gently! But first let me tell you the meaning behind the title…
I had organized this 90-poem collection into three parts: Nature, Love, and Life, and yet a book title still remained in hiding. And then one of my poems stood out titled, “Ever So Gently” and it’s as though a lightbulb turned on. Everything clicked. Then I began to ponder how we live each day. It’s easy to live ‘gently’ when things happen according to our plans. But what if they don’t? What if heartache befalls us? Do we react ‘gently’ or do we press the panic button? I’ve done both, but I’m trying to focus on ‘gentle.’ And while in this mindset, I thought of the love my heart has felt, the tranquility and companionship of nature, and the good and not so good that life has tossed my way. So, I offer you the beginning of my introduction in the book…
“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. The gentle grace in my heart full of gratitude for the love in my life. For the support of family and friends through every stumble and celebration. When I witness another sunrise, I remember to breathe and live gently. But succeeding in ‘gentle’ may not happen around the clock, so if I slip up, I will try again.“
Fun fact: My son offered to create a book cover for me, so I told him that I wanted an organic design unlike my prior book covers, and I wanted soothing, gentle colors: pastel blues, greens, a little white. Bodies of water came to mind, a freshwater lake, a gentle flowing river, or the calming of the sea. So, to my surprise, instead of using the computer, he painted the cover on canvas. I couldn’t be more ecstatic with the beautiful, gloss paperback cover.
Thank you, Michael!
AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AND E-BOOK VERSIONS.
Book Blurb:
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.
I am so grateful to Robbie Cheadle for creating the incredible book trailer below with my photos. I get goosebumps each time I view and listen.
Thank you, Robbie!
And Thank You to Diana W. Peach for reading my book early and posting a beautiful 5-star review (below):
When I read Scott’s poetry, I know I’ll unearth thoughts and feelings deeply personal to her life, reflections that will undoubtedly resonate with mine. The experience of what it is to be human, the shared longings and losses, and the way love shapes our days is the thread that ties this collection together.
This book of about 90 poems is divided into three parts. The first is a peaceful exploration of nature; the second, Scott’s appreciation of the many forms of love in her life; and finally, a series of poems on a broader scope of thoughts. They’re all lovely and positive with an underlying theme of love and appreciation. This is a feel-good collection of both free-form and syllabic poetry that I’m delighted to recommend.
A few favorites: “The Hummingbird’s Quest” (from the section on nature). “The World is Broken,” “If the Universe would Share,” and “Mom’s Plea” (from the section on loved ones). “Maybe,” and “Other Worlds” (from the section on broader reflections). A romantic beauty:
The Giver
He pulls me
into myself so
I may see
qualities
he loved from the beginning
though his perception
runs deeper –
mine, a trace of clouds,
then he lifts
my heart and
soul to the starlit sky where
our dreams become us.
Another favorite of Diana’s:
The Hummingbird’s Quest
We hold our breath.
Its wings flutter at a possible
eighty times per second, so we’ve read.
It closes the distance between us,
and we know it eyes the dangling
rosy petals. But below those blossoms
lies the sleeping dog. He wouldn’t be
the least bit interested in the winged
creature, but the winged creature
doesn’t know this to be true.
And so, we watch our tiny friend
flit to within a few feet of the blooms,
then disappointment lands in our thoughts
as it retreats to the maple,
camouflaged to the naked eye.
If only it could be brave.
If only it knew there was no threat below
from the eighty-pound sleeping beast.
In fact, the beast quietly snores,
and we are confident
he is dreaming of squirrels.
Robbie and Diana, along with these wonderful friends, are going to help promote my book in their special, creative ways:
Robbie Cheadle
Diana W. Peach
Balroop Singh
Cindy Georgakas
Colleen Chesebro
Yvette Prior
Selma Martin
Sally Cronin
So, stay tuned! 🎉🎉
And, of course, I hope “Ever So Gently“ finds itself gently resting on your coffee table or in your device. But another wish is that you discover the reward of living ever so gently. 💜
Thanks for stopping by and for your support.
And please feel free to share to help spread the word!
~ Lauren ❤️🙏🏻🎉
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
I know this…
We don’t live forever,
I know this,
just as sunlight and moonbeams
can’t shine simultaneously,
but sometimes I feel
like he and I
will transcend the inevitable.
Imagining the opposite
is unimaginable
because it means one of us
will be left alone with our tears
to sweep up the shattered pieces
of our hearts
in every room we step into.
It means going solo
through
every sunrise,
every sunset.
It’s okay to daydream,
isn’t it?
It’s alright to feel
we’ll live forever,
isn’t it?
What is life
without dreams,
without fantasy?
Reality hides
in the shadows,
I know this,
but until life changes,
I’ll live in my fantasy,
knowing he’ll be beside me
eternally.
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Chardonnay
Do I need fifty dollar words,
candlelight and wine
to express what’s on my mind?
I’m not one to write
heartfelt emotions
in rhythm or rhyme,
no poet am I,
and fancy words can’t match
the hue in your eyes,
so I’ll be wise, take my cue
and simply whisper
“I Love You”
An oldie from my poetry collection, Finding a Balance,
Something soft for this Sunday. ❤️🥂
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com
Trouble – Acrostic Poetry
Trouble – An Acrostic poem inspired by Colleen’s post , but mine turned into a double acrostic with a more somber twist. It may even be more of a story than a poem. When I saw the word ‘trouble’ my father-in-law came to mind…
Thriving in life’s sunrises and sunsets
Reveling in life, travel, staying active,
Over the last century he’s lived a fulfilled life,
Unaffected by pessimism, his sanguinity
Bestows a light on all who walk in his circle.
Legendary in his knowledge and keen memory,
Enervated and full of pain is his body now.
Taking each day as it comes, persistent agony
Rarely breaks from its stopover, but complaints
Outstandingly never fall from his lips. It is
Unusual for the query to escape, but he
Breathes gently before asking when the distress will
Liquidate his bones and muscles, when it will all finally
End.
Maybe you can relate? Perhaps you’re in the same situation with a loved one?
On a lighter note, if you find yourself at a loss for words, desperately needing poetry writing inspiration, visit Colleen.
Thank you for reading. ❤️
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
A Double Ennead poem for Mother’s Day Weekend! 💐
Happy early Mother’s Day to all moms out there!
Mothers
She protects with arms of
strength and adoring love,
embodies splendor of many colors, bold
for confidence, pastel
for giving support
She is the butterfly
on the breeze, flying
with style, the hummingbird outside our window
she graces our presence
a lovely blessing
She will swim upstream with
vigor if need be
a sister, daughter, friend, lover, a caring
spirit like no other
an angel on earth
(My mom passed away 12 years ago and my mother-in-law at a very young age, three decades ago. But these two amazing women live in our hearts, and not a day goes by without thinking of them.) 💗
And thank you to my amazing daughter and son for making me feel so blessed!
❤️🙏🏻
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
The Double Ennead poetry form was created by Colleen Chesebro for CarrotRanch.com.
You can find me on Instagram too! 🤗
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! 🌺
Morning After
Sun spills in
through billowing curtains
gently though
so not to startle dreams
Sated bodies delight
in love tangling
Sheets silky soft
caress skin
nothing can compare
to this moment
that shouldn’t end
but we bid farewell
to moonlight
knowing we have sunlight
to share
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
This poem is from my book, New Day, New Dreams.
Enjoy the romance and the weekend. ❤️
Photo by Szabu00f3 Viktor on Pexels.com
#BOOK REVIEWS: MORE THAN COFFEE: Memories in Verse and Prose!!
While I work on my upcoming poetry collection entitled, Ever So Gently, I am delighted to still watch beautiful reviews for More than Coffee continue to trickle in. As I mention in the preface, “Whatever roast I sip, it’s the people, places, experiences, and memories that matter most to me-coffee just happens to be a bonus.” And this is exactly what compiling these memories was all about in the first place. Of course, you can sip any drink you enjoy while (I hope) relishing my stories and poems. But I’ll add that the cover of the book is a photo that was taken at Spider Lake in The Sierra, a favorite backpacking spot of mine and my husband’s. And there’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee in the mountains in the early morning hours when the sun is just waking up.
A big thanks to Michele, Debby, Darlene, and Alex (Trish) who are fabulous writers in our amazing online community! ❤️
Reading the poems and stories found in More than Coffee, by Lauren Scott, felt like being served a combination of delicious home-cooked food, with hot coffee of course, engaging in conversation with a friend, and strolling through family photo albums. If you are in the mood for a wholesome read about family, written by a writer who comes across as grateful, sentimental, and compassionate, then I recommend Scott’s charming memories in verse and prose.
By DGKaye
A beautiful book of short slices of poignant moments of life in the author’s life, enhanced with poetic snapshots of life.
Scott invites us into her gratitude, loving memories and pieces of time that were stepping stones to her growth in life and relationships. I could relate to her stories, even though they were her stories. How legend Barbra Streisand was her idol and spurred on her love for music and singing into her hair brush microphone, how in a moment she knew her husband would become the love of her life and how time played out until their meeting was ripe.
Memories in verse and prose of personal times and achievements in romance, love growth, like when the nest became empty, love and loss with her father in law, pushing limits to go backpacking in later years. Written in a personal telling as though the author opened up her heart and shared memories, inviting us into her slices of life that many of us will find relatable in our own lives. This book is a love letter of gratitude of a life well lived and felt.
I enjoy the natural, easy-to-relate-to, style of Lauren Scott’s writing. In the preface, she mentions that – “Whatever roast I sip, it’s the people, places, experiences, and memories that matter most to me-coffee just happens to be a bonus.” I’m sure I will be forgiven for relaxing with a cup of tea as I relaxed and devoured her collection of short vignettes and poems inspired by her life, past and present. Some of my favourite pieces include “Silver Heirlooms”; memories of parents no longer with us. “Red Lipstick” which made me recall watching my own mother put on her make-up. “Belong” is a perfect poem for couples in love; perfect for Valentine’s Day. “97 Years” is a wonderful legacy of a man of substance and made me think of my dear mom and how she had to deal with the loneliness of the pandemic. “The Phone Call” reminded me of my daughter and our lengthy phone calls discussing everything and bringing us closer in spite of an ocean between us. There is something for everyone in this well-written collection which is definitely more than coffee.
By Alex Craigie
This collection of poetry and short stories is described by Lauren Scott as ‘memories in verse and prose’. She has captured the mood and experiences so well, they resonated and reminded me of my own.
The author writes about simple, everyday moments. In The Right Time her poem about letting go of things contains a familiar note of caution – “some things do need to be held onto.
To let go of everything/would be like watching a balloon/ escaping into the big blue sky/ slowly fading away.”
These short pieces delight, comfort, amuse, and paint grief and longing as effectively as a full-length novel. Laughing Spiders made me chuckle with recognition (as an arachnophobe) whereas The Phone Call is a poignant piece about empty nesters. 1989 tells of falling in love but carries a warning:
“Don’t ever think you can change someone. Accept them for who they are or move on.” This advice could save many a relationship!
The selection is personal but the truths captured within them speak to everyone. There are references to family life and the grief of losing parents, but also to well-observed moments including backpacking and camping trips, singing in concert halls and falling in love.
Two of my favourite pieces are Simple Existence and The Gift – both are syllabic poems and the writing is exquisite. These are poems that made me stop and take stock. They gave me goosebumps.
Below are two favorites mentioned in these reviews:
The Gift
Tranquility embraces –
the sun’s exit advances.
Listening to whispers
among the trees,
our time here is a gift,
and when we depart,
the gift will belong
to someone else.
Belonging
Do you trust me? Will you
take my hand and let me
lead the way to a place
transcending boundaries
of our reality? Let us get
lost in tranquility –
dancing to the majesty of
the surroundings, feeling
rhythm vibrate through our
bones. For as long as our
hearts desire, this is our
destination. Time is but
a memory. Its existence
leaves no trace on the path
where we tread. There is
only you, me, and the intensity
of our belonging to each other.
And another favorite of other’s for this new season of spring. One daffodil in the sunshine provided inspiration…
The Teacher
Its canary boldness
rises up to the sun
alone, yet not lonely,
hearing nothing,
but wearing bravery
on each petal –
standing tall with
spirit in lean
green attire, as if
soaking up the day’s
endless possibilities.
I am grateful for these lovely reviews and for all that my book has received. And Thank You in advance to those who may decide to sink into my memories in the future. And as I’ve read here in the land of blogging, reviews are like hugs, so if you enjoy my book, well, I won’t ask...🤗
Thanks so much for stopping by and for reading!
Stay well and happy,
Lauren ❤️
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 