I wish you peace today. 🩵🩵
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo: LScott, Loon Lake, CA
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Threads of Peace…
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Tag: Poetry
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Book Reviews: Poetry & Memoir…
It Ain’t Winning If Without You by Michelle Ayon Navajas
Michelle Ayon Navajas’ 7th book, It Ain’t Winning If Without You, is a collection of beautiful poetry that is lovingly dedicated to her beloved father who has passed away. The poems are divided into three sections, most in her preferred form, freestyle, but many in various syllabic forms as well. Michelle pays tribute to her inspiring and hardworking muse that any author will find relatable. She writes about love for her father and love of the heart – its every edge, jagged and smooth. Then she pays tribute to those who read and love her work. A very endearing end to this collection.
This book is over 300 pages, so I took my time reading and rereading each poem. I nestled into my comfy sofa at the end of each evening and sunk into Michelle’s engaging words. Her poetry is written in the first person, very intimate, so it was effortless to slide into each phrase and feel the emotions enfold me in their deepest meaning. Her style of writing is accessible and conversational as though we’re sitting across from each other, sharing a cup of coffee or tea, and she’s divulging her personal feelings.
Since both of my parents have passed, Michelle’s poems about her father resonated. I know what the heart endures when a parent leaves our physical world. Her signature poem, “My Papa” truly tugs at the heart. But her love poems, well, the varied emotions are exquisitely expressed, and there were too many favorites to list, but a few are “Sixty-Five”, “Crimson Sky”, “What am I to You?”, and “Loneliness too.” A real beauty that exemplifies Michelle’s talent is:
The Moon
the moon envies my midnight soul
for it shines brightly as it ever had
now that your heart has been thawed
from being frozen for so long
without even knowing why
without even asking why
but one thing is sure my dear
your unfrozen heart has made my soul
euphoric and alive and ecstatic
that even the moon has been jealous of.
This lovely collection of poems is meant to be savored, to slowly dip into the deliciousness for supreme enjoyment. Highly recommended for all poetry enthusiasts who love diving into poetry about the joys and sorrows of life, the struggles and celebrations of the heart, and poems on gratitude.
The Winding Road: A journey of Survival by Miriam Hurdle
The Winding Road by Miriam Hurdle is a detailed account of her journey after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2008. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because of its ability to spread to vital organs if it’s not detected early. But this rare form of melanoma was discovered when Miriam was seen for a routine procedure. Imagine going in for a procedure that is conducted on a regular basis, then leaving with news that shockingly obscures the view you have of your future. When I began to read Miriam’s narrative, a version of the old adage came to mind, “We can’t truly understand unless we walk in the same shoes.”
And yet, Miriam’s story is relatable on the surface as my husband is a melanoma survivor. Even so, reading Miriam’s experience evoked fearful memories of the days to follow the diagnosis when his outcome was still undetermined.
Miriam tells her story like it was without mincing any discomfort. Following the diagnosis, she was given two treatment options to choose from, and it was a difficult choice to make. Then The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost appeared in her mind, specifically these lines:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.
Miriam wrote, “I gazed at the road of unknown. I sought affirmation.”
I was so moved by this profound declaration.
I was also touched by the kindness of others that shined in various ways throughout her journey. This loving support afforded her the strength to keep believing, to continue pushing through the grueling treatment. The pain that Miriam endured was beyond unimaginable. But her persistence, faith, and strength were beyond commendable.
If you don’t believe in miracles, I implore you to read this moving book because I know without a doubt, you’ll have a change of heart.
I hope you enjoyed these interviews, and to read more of these wonderful authors, visit Michele here and Miriam here.
Thank you for stopping by and I wish you a fabulous day! ❤️
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Thank you! ❤️
From his son – until that time…
I look at the frail man
lying in the hospice bed
whose body is slowly giving up.
My eyes close.
Is he my father?
The pillar in my life?
It’s tough to accept
because
my father stands next to me
in the 8×10 frame
on the peak
of San Gorgonio mountain,
highest in Southern California.
At 65, he hiked
up and down that mountain,
18 miles round trip.
Sun hat, t-shirt, long pants,
smile, heart full of adventure,
this man, so full of life.
The end of his trail draws near.
Grief will find its way, no doubt.
and I will surrender,
then I will shout to the universe
in celebration
of the incredible man he used to be.
Until that time,
I look at his face,
I bend down to kiss him
on the forehead.
I focus on his good eye,
and I see my wonderful father
who stood beside me
on that mountain top.
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
My father-in-law always says, “Until that time.”
My latest release – click on the image to purchase your copy!
Thanks so much for visiting. ❤️
Hospice Wings
He sees
emerald rolling hills
and brilliant blue skies
that stretch forever.
He sees a train rolling by,
the passengers wave,
cars float in the clouds,
a wire suspended between lips,
a lady painted on the door,
but he listens,
he understands,
his appetite takes in small bites,
slow swallowing,
juice flows fluidly through
a flexible straw,
yesterday, cranberry flavors
made him smile.
Today, he winced at the thought.
We hold his hand,
sometimes, he doesn’t let go.
We say, “I love you.”
He repeats these words,
then adds
“More than you know.”
Each day differs.
Each day surprises.
Each day is heartbreaking
as we wait…
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
My latest release – Click on the image to purchase your copy!
Thank you for visiting! ❤️
Colleen at Word Craft Poetry presents Meet the Poet, Lauren Scott…
I was excited when Colleen at wordcraftpoetry.com invited me to be featured in her Meet the Poet series. This is part of the blog tour for my book, Ever So Gently. And if you’re following along, I greatly appreciate YOU!
She created the interview which gave me an opportunity to talk about poetry and to discuss Ever So Gently. What a wonderful way to meet new authors and to learn more about the writing process of the authors we already know and love. If you haven’t met Colleen, please visit her site and take your time perusing around. She is the queen of syllabic poetry!
Here’s what Colleen has to say about her wonderful series:
This is a way to get to know more about the poets and their work. Many of our poets have written both fiction and non-fiction and published and self-published their works.
Some of our poets are also artists, crafting their magic through watercolors or other artistic means along with the written word. There are even a few musicians in our poetic community!
At least once a month, I’ll be introducing you to the poets in our community! Grab a cup of tea or coffee, and meet the poet!
A preview of our interview:
(L) Hi Colleen. Thanks so much for your invitation. I’m really looking forward to our chat.
(C) Hi Lauren! I’m glad you stopped by! How long have you been writing syllabic poetry? What’s the first form of syllabic poetry you wrote?
(L) I’ve been writing syllabic poetry since I started my blog, baydreamerwrites.com, over eleven years ago. The first form I explored was haiku. I love the idea of painting a picture or evoking an emotion with so few words. Since then, I have taken the challenge by trying other forms such as Tanka, Etheree, Shadorma, Didactic Cinquain, Oddquain, and Double Ennead, which was created by you, Colleen.
(C) Thanks, Lauren. I’m glad you enjoyed writing the Double Ennead. I know you have published several poetry books, and a brand-new poetry book you’ve just published called Ever So Gently. Tell us about the book and why you wrote it.
To read the rest of our interview, please visit Colleen’s post here, or click on the blog link below!
I have to add that while conversing with Rebecca Budd on Colleen’s post, she invited me to be a guest in 2024 (her 6th year) on her Tea Toast & Trivia Podcast . I am honored and so excited for this opportunity.
Thanks to Colleen for opening this door and to Rebecca for opening it just a little bit wider.
And to purchase a copy of Ever So Gently, you can click here or on the image above. A huge Thanks to you who have read my book or who are currently reading the collection. I hope you find a poem or two that you can call your own, and by the turn of the last page, I hope you’ll discover the reward of living ever so gently.
Thanks always for stopping by to show your support, and Colleen, you rock! I loved doing this interview with you and am grateful for being featured in your Meet the Poet series.
~ Lauren ❤️❤️
To read the rest of our interview, please visit Colleen’s post here, or click on the blog link below!
And if you missed any part of the tour, check out my prior posts. Thank you!
Resa elegantly talks about Ever So Gently…
Today, I am more than excited to be featured on Resa’s blog. If you know Resa, you’ll understand how her words about my poetry collection fit exquisitely. Here’s a glimpse of what she felt:
“I read the poems in order, but not at first. Deciding to try a different approach, I dove into the book like it was a box of chocolates. I read whatever poem in any order, as the fancy lead. Yet, as delicious as it all was; it’s more than confection.
It’s like collecting beautiful fabrics and trims. Poems were read, materials collected and a pattern designed. When the poems were over, they had draped a rich, beautifully adorned gown over my spirit.”
To read the full interview with her gorgeous images and creativity, please visit her post.
Thanks again SO much, Resa! ❤️❤️
Respite in the wilderness…
Dear Friends,
I hope you all had a great week! Hubby and I had a wonderful time at our favorite lake. It felt good to unplug, to just be together, to read, and enjoy good wine and coffee along with the stunning views and tranquility. We also did some light hiking and walking around, but with each step, I was mindful of where my right foot landed. And gratefully, I had zero pain.
For those of you who tent camp, you know what the adventure entails. The experience is relaxing once the ‘wilderness home’ is set up, but until then, it takes a lot of effort. We were lucky to reserve our favorite site that offered a short walk down to the lake. And though the weather report didn’t indicate rain, several thunderstorms entertained when light rain turned into downpours! But we stayed dry under the easy-up and our backpacking tent kept the deluge of rain from seeping into our sleeping bags and clothes. In the mornings, when the days looked like they’d be glorious, I stole a few moments, sitting by the shore, jotting down thoughts in my journal. But I don’t have anything completed, so I’m sharing photos for now:
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
~ John Muir
stunning lake
coffee time
fire and sky
awesome Jetboil and sample of delicious backpacking food – we kept things simple so we could enjoy more and work less
ambience
there is no such thing as too many sunset photos
stealing a hug (and kiss) while witnessing another gorgeous sunset
lake view from campsite
beautiful blues and greens on the north side of the lake
organic landscape along the trail 
too cute 
lots of bumblebees around – these are a little blurry
kayaker sunset 
beautiful sky
I hope you enjoyed these photos; they’re only a fraction of what I took. 🙂
If you enjoy ruminating over life’s rewards and mysteries, my latest book, Ever So Gently, a collection of poems, is available for purchase by clicking on the image below:
Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to reading your posts again.
~Lauren ❤️
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
The celebrations and preparations…
Dear Friends,
It has been a wild, exciting ride with the launch of my new book and all the wonderful support I’ve been given. But in the midst of the excitement, my father-in-law has been on hospice for almost two weeks, and it’s been tough, to say the least. A surreal time, waiting for the inevitable. But his large support circle ensures that he is comfortable and loved, which is most important.
Before he started to decline, we already had our backpacking trip reserved in the Sierra Mountains, but with his encouragement, we are still going. Although, due to my foot issue, we decided that I shouldn’t push it. My foot has been cooperating, but I’d hate to overdo it and take five steps backwards. So, we’re camping. We’ll be relaxing by the lake, surrounded by ponderosa pines and nature’s warm embrace. And this is really what we need. My brother-in-law will ‘hold down the fort’ while we’re gone. He also told us to go. “Dad wants you to enjoy the adventure.” We will have our Spot X satellite device though to stay in touch. And obviously, if something changes before we plan to leave, we won’t go. Always ‘one day at a time.’
So, I’ll be offline next week and will return the following week of the 21st. The photo above is from one of our trips to our favorite Sierra lake, and the poem below is in my book and one I wrote while sitting on the shore in the company of the smooth water, and journal and pen (and hubby, of course.)
The Sun Knows
Evening advances.
The shore wears nothing
but a few rocks
scattered on its sand.
In their quiet space,
a father and son hold fishing lines
hoping their luck will lift.
A lone sailboat glides by
pausing for the unfolding.
With hair the color of an egret,
an older man leans against a stump.
Clouds understand why we wait.
A fine yellow highlighter
has delicately outlined
their smooth edges.
Occasionally, trout jump
out of the still water,
only a few ripples
show their excitement.
Then suddenly the sky explodes
in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows –
brighter with every second.
It’s as though a painter swished
her brush back and forth
on the immense backdrop,
to the left, to the right,
repeating with the grace
of an orchestra leader.
Can the sun slipping behind
downy clouds
be more spectacular?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The blog tour will continue when I return and I have to share two more beautiful reviews:
Reading Ms. Scott’s poetry is like roaming the pages of a spiritual book and you can feel a connection. Upon picking up this book I first read “Ever So Gently” and felt an instant connection, as I’ve lived such moments myself during bushcrafting adventures, connected to nature and all of creation. As I continue to read, each poem is equally as deep and reveals not only the writers soul, but my own.
~ Scott Mitchell – Lauren Scott will touch your soul. 5 stars
What an endearing gathering of short poems, some written as Haiku and other syllabic poetry, but all comforting, calming, restorative. Presented in three sections, these verses pose the wonder of nature, the love of family, even the delight of a pet. An elegant medley.
~ Joy Neal Kidney – An endearing collection. 5 stars
I am humbled and grateful for these lovely reviews, and I want to thank you all for the ‘book’ support, the visits, the comments, and the love.
So, have a Fabulous week! Stay well and Be happy!
Sending virtual hugs out to you all,
Lauren ❤️
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
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Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 