Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book) Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology Co-Author – This Is How We Grow Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
I feel old and withered like a dying rock rose. Cracks propagate down my stucco exterior like fault lines in the earth. Does an outburst lie on the horizon?
I remember when vibrant pink, like a fuchsia feather boa, would invite strangers in – strangers who became friends.
My mood has a mind of its own. When the sky opens, tears stream down my windows, tattooing me with streaks of dirt.
I’ve been abandoned for years – no one seems to want me. My door – faded and rotted, hanging like a dead tree branch, wouldn’t welcome a rat. Do you know what it feels like to be all alone? To feel worthless?
There was a time when chatter and laughter filled me to the brim, bounced off the walls into Margarita merry, chips and salsa celebrations.
Now, I sit on the corner like a human without a home.
My sign reads:
Will I ever feel alive again? Will I ever feel life again?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We drove by an old restaurant that we miss where the building has remained vacant. So, I became inspired to write a personification poem.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful Wednesday. 💝
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book) Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology Co-Author – This Is How We Grow Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
One evening before dinner, we drove to a nearby redwood grove that has been renovated. We found new grated nature trails, an obstacle course, and a small rock climbing stump for children. Only a few people were there, and among the tall giants, we felt a cool respite. A slight breeze accompanied us as we walked for almost two miles on a winding trail, and hopped along the obstacle course keeping our balance and freeing our inner child. It was really fun, breathtakingly beautiful, and calming...
In Good Company
When we stroll among redwood trees, our steps slow down, we are in good company. There is no reason to rush and we won’t hesitate to hug them with open arms, because, why not? They deserve reverence for their generosity. In their company, fine fibers of peace flow through our hearts and souls, centering us. Any worries burdening our minds fall to the earth to be walked upon and buried. We listen as their leaves whisper in the breeze, Be filled with joy and do not fret, for there is no time for that nonsense.
To begin with, I want to offer a SHOUT-OUT to my dear friend,Maggie Watson. She was voted Spillwords Author of the Month for August! You can find her on the Spillwords sidebarfor the month of September. But she is not new to Spillwords. She has been awarded Publication of the Month as well, and had several pieces of her beautiful and evocative writing published. Congratulations, Maggie! You deserve this high honor! 🎉🎉🎉
Secondly, I can’t help but share some fabulous King Copper reviews from friends who have posted them on their blogs. I’m combining all into this one post by including an excerpt and the link to their beautiful blogs. So, I invite you to visit their sites to read the rest of their lovely reviews – and to learn more about these amazing author friends. 💖
‘King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry’ is a heartwarming tribute to a pet whose love shines through Scott’s poems. This handsome guy looks stunning in the pictures that the poet has shared. I am not a dog lover, but I can understand how much love and understanding these furry friends hold in their hearts. Copper’s unconditional love has been beautifully expressed in memorable poetry by his mom.
No less than a celebrity, the poet tells us that Copper was a show-stopper, a hugger, and a kisser. His graceful gait, his charming smile, his slobbery kisses, and his dedication to guard his loving family made him an adorable golden boy. The warmth that radiates from his amber eyes reaches your heart if you look at his pictures. Most of the poems celebrate Scott’s love for Copper, but there are a few that tug at my heart as they bring out the poet’s grief when she hears “a dog barking in the distance” or misses the sounds like “nails clicking on the kitchen floor.”
‘Loss is Loss’ perfectly captures the emotions of those who grieve, a feeling which can only be understood by those who know that mourning seeps into our skin, a constant reminder that our loved one will never return. However, ‘Rainbow Bridge’ breathes positivity and encourages acceptance…
Lauren has put together this tender collection in memory of her family’s Labrador, Copper. Each and every poem in this book feels like a precious gem and a keepsake, Lauren’s verse carrying along the joy of companionship, the ache of farewell and the warmth of cherished memories. The poems are also accompanied by cute photos, elegant too… of sweet handsome Copper, photogenically posing or playing with family and friends.
There are the funny and playful moments, the gentle ones, the nostalgia and the love, the warmth and the togetherness… all captured wonderfully by Lauren in her poems,so sweet… as is this endearingly cute memory she shares in “Copper Boy”, “When he smiles, his white choppers shine as if they’ve never caused any commotion…never mind the afternoon when he attempted to eat the barbecue!” or a reminder of the purity of unconditional love, and the way it can transform our life…
Anyone who’s ever loved a dog (or another furred or feathered family member) will be able to relate to this lovely collection of poetry about the author’s Chocolate Lab named Copper.
Copper’s transition over the Rainbow Bridge and the author’s immense grief provided the inspiration to chronicle the lab’s personality, relationships, and life in poetry. The poems are heartwarming, joyous, funny, loving, and sad. A few of them are written from Copper’s point of view. The style of poetry ranges from silly limericks to deeply emotional free-form pieces.
The collection is written in two parts, each beginning with a short section of prose. The first piece of prose describes adopting Copper, the love-at-first-sight experience of meeting the perfect pet. The second describes losing Copper after 13 years and the author’s devastating grief…
Lauren Scott’s beautiful new book, “King Copper – Our Dog’s Life in Poetry” stole my heart. Sadly, one of the common denominators in life is loss. When those I care about – friends, family, clients, former students – reach out and share their grief about losing a pet, there’s often a sense of shame about the depth and capacity of the torment. “After all,” (a dear one said recently, speaking about the unexpected passing of her cat), “she was just a pet”.
I saw what she was doing – attempting to minimize her pain with a reductive explanation. Self-talk intended to soothe, with words borrowed from a thoughtless one who used the phrase “just a pet” to offer consolation. For many of us, our pets embody the qualities we long for in humans, especially those who disappoint us. Caring, loyal and loving, they ask only for those qualities in return – delighted by belly rubs and extra kibble now and then.
I was excited/nervous to read Lauren’s tribute to her beloved Copper. Excited because I know it was a labor of utmost love for Lauren. Nervous because I knew “King Copper” would prompt tears. Lauren writes with powerful poignancy. I embraced every word…
King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry is a beautiful tribute that deeply touched my heart. The words brought back memories I had of losing our sweet dog a couple of years back and of remembering the joy she brought us too. Our pets are such a gift, and this collection not only shows that but also offers comfort to all of us who have known the loss of a beloved pet. Here is an example of the depth of emotions: “A dog barks in the distance causing me to pause,/it sounds like Copper’s/ wild imagination longing for one more moment”—One More Moment. I can highly recommend this for all those who have loved and lost a pet family member.
Balroop, Diana, and Denise include other reviews of compelling books worth adding to your towering TBRs!
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS READ MY BOOK AND WRITTEN BEAUTIFUL REVIEWS. I AM AMAZED AT HOW MANY HEARTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOUCHED BY COPPER’S LOVE FOR HIS FAMILY, AND HIS FAMILY’S LOVE FOR HIM. 🧡🤎
Lastly, some friends years ago offered to draw or paint Copperusing photos I provided, and I continue to be in awe of their extraordinary talent:
Barbara Soby
DM Denton
DM Denton
Resa McConaghy
Resa McConaghy
I know this is a long post, and if you made it to this point, your time is appreciated! I hope you will celebrate Maggie’s great news with me, and follow the links to read the full excellent reviews of King Copper. My deepest gratitude goes to Balroop, Nicole, Vicki, Diana, and Denise! Any other reviews that came in early and were posted on blogs, I have reblogged. These reviews came in within a few days from each other, which is why one blog post seemed like a better option. I truly hope I haven’t missed anyone!
Can you believe September has arrived already? Time sure mystifies, doesn’t it? On this first day of the month, I woke up to find this wonderful surprise in my inbox. Thanks so much to Editor, Manuela Timofte, for publishing my writing. I’m grateful to be featured on her beautiful literary site, and I hope you’ll peruse around if you’re unfamiliar with Gobblers. This poem is in the form of a haibun, part prose and haiku. Thanks again, Manuela! ❤️
An Avoidable Tizzy
Dr. Google isn’t credible, which leads me to the quote, “Don’t believe what you read on the internet.” I didn’t heed the advice. I mimicked the drowning man in the parable, “Two Boats and a Helicopter.” Do you recall this man who passed up several rescue attempts while facing raging floodwaters because he knew that God would save him? How we miss the signs… Instead, I dove into the words, ignorant of their harm like a fly into a web – each syllable engrained into my psyche, tossing me into a tizzy as Dad would say. I couldn’t get out of my head. It was a night of sheet thrashing. Poor sheets thinking, “What have we done?”…
To read the rest, please visit Manuela at Gobblers by clicking on the link below. I hope you’ll leave a ‘like’ or share your thoughts that I always love to read. Thank you!
I appreciate your visit, and Happy Labor Day to those who celebrate! And I wish you a wonderful week to kick off this new month. Our summer was thankfully mild, but I do look forward to autumn, a favorite time of year. 🧡🍁
I’m thrilled to have my poem “Sepia” published on Marsha Ingrao’s site, Always Write, for her Story Chat Digest! Marsha is so generous to publish the work of fellow authors for the readers to analyze, both poetry and stories. Her blog is informational and entertaining. By the way, submissions can not be published anywhere in the past. So my poem is brand new. I’m also honored to celebrate beside my dear friend, Maggie Watson, and Doug Jacquier, who I’m happy to meet through Marsha – another benefit, meeting like-minded bloggers. Thanks so much, Marsha! ❤️
Sepia
by Lauren Scott
I walk around the neighborhood at a good clip. Blood flows in every vein like a river to an ocean. Familiarity around each corner feels like a needed hug. My legs love the stretch of the stride. Pausing for a moment, I close my eyes, breathing in fragrances… tall pines, jasmine, and how lucky to have the sun's company. Its warmth is welcomed. When his presence is gentle, it’s a summer I remember.
A canine friend trots beside me, but only in my mind’s album since time has faded like a few friendships. The more calendar pages I flip, full of ink and pencil, the more memories turn into sepia...
Comments are turned off, so please visit Marsha's beautiful site to read the rest of my poem, and Maggie and Doug's, and share your thoughts! And while you're there, I hope you take some time to peruse around. 💖
Blue sky whispers words of tranquility Each syllable falls like a leaf in autumn Open your hands to the wisdom, cold-shoulder the noise whirling around, causing a bottleneck of worry Let the sun’s rays seep into your soul flowing gently on its journey, pulling you from edges of despair Let the warmth calm the chill that strives to take possession
If your heart is broken, take time in picking up the pieces just tap into the strength deep inside – the jagged edges are dull to your skin, you’ve been cut before so now you’re tough, the sight of red doesn’t shock you into paralysis
Each fragment tells your story, and you matter The pieces in all their perfect imperfection will fit perfectly again
Remember to follow the blue keep your eyes looking upward because the blue holds hope, and moving forward is impossible without even a glimmer…
I’m excited to share that my poem “The Middle” is live today on Gobblers by Masticadores! To give you a little back story, when I wrote this poem, life had changed tragically for a family member. Since then, there have been many improvements which I believe are miracles. But life still isn’t the same and a daunting question mark hangs in the future. Our family continues with positive thoughts and prayers. And I want to offer a huge thank you, as always, to Editor, Manuela Timofte, for featuring my writing.
The Middle
It doesn’t matter if we’re celebrating the best thing that ever happened, or staring at our heart lying on the floor in millions of tiny pieces. Time moves ahead (seemingly) as if we pushed the fast forward button. Those hands on the analog clock have a mind of their own, turning and turning, making our heads spin, wondering where the hours have gone. Where have the hours gone? How does a decade ago feel like yesterday? Why does my mind tell me I’m forty when my driver’s license tells me I’m wrong? Just yesterday, my daughter and son played with Lego and Barbies. Today they’re adulting, living with bills that show up in the mailbox on a monthly basis. Always prompt. Just yesterday, I took my last photo of our senior pup, not knowing it would be the last photo I would take of him...
To read the full poem, please visit Gobblers by clicking on the link below. Thank you so much, and I wish you a wonderful week in this new month of June. ❤️
Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble, but click on the image to purchase your copy through Amazon.And a friendly nudge to share a review online if you loved Cora’s Quest. Thanks so much! 💜
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 