I hope you enjoy my series of tanka poems for this holiday season, and I might have veered away from the rules a few times. So, good thing I’m not being graded. 😁 Enjoy ,and I wish you all a peaceful and happy holiday season!
1.
This jingle jolly season delights young hearts as they bake cookies for the white-bearded man in red joy through the eyes of children
2.
Christmas carols play on the old record player while snowflakes fall in slow motion and candles sway to the festive melodies
3.
Hustle and bustle begins after Thanksgiving for shopping galore but commercialism slays the magic, so stay focused
4.
I grew up learning about a baby boy born on this Christmas day who would become a teacher of unconditional love
5.
‘Tis the season to be with family and friends bringing joy to hearts for their company is the best gift of all to receive
6.
Lights twinkle on homes when evening accommodates all aglow in their shimmering reds, greens, and golds uplifting somber spirits
7.
flour on faces enjoyment in the blending snowmen, bells, Christmas trees frosted and sprinkled with love sweetens gift of giving
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Do you have a favoritetanka? Do any resonate with you?
A collection of poems about nature, love, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚
Thank you for dropping in and I wish you a Terrific Tuesday! Lauren ❤️ Photo by samer daboul on Pexels.com My camera never does justice for moon shots, so I chose to enjoy the moment.
I’m late in reblogging several posts, so I’m slowly catching up, and today I’m sharing Carol Anne’s lovely review of my poetry collection and latest release, Ever So Gently. What more could an Indie Author ask for? I am grateful that my poems could provide the balm she needed. Thanks again, Carol Anne! ❤️ And I encourage you to visit her site, therapybits.com. She wrote that you’ll find real and raw emotions in my poetry collection, but you’ll discover the same in her posts.
A little bit about Carol Anne:
My name is Carol anne. I am part of a did system. Did stands for dissociative identity disorder. I also have PTSD posttraumatic stress disorder. I was diagnosed with did in December 2010. I have been blind since birth. I am 35 years old. This is a blog about my life, it will mainly focus on therapy and the process of going through psychotherapy, but I will also post some stuff about my life. I am in college studying IT. It has its challenges but overall I love it.
To read Carol Anne’s review, simply click on the link below. ⬇️
I am touched by those who enjoyed my book and who have written beautiful reviews. 🩵 And a friendly nudge… if you enjoyed my book, please consider sharing a review on Amazon and Goodreads. The best gift for authors! 🙏🏻
Thanks so much for visiting today, and I wish you a wonderful Friday and weekend ahead. ~Lauren 🧡🍁
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 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 posthere, 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 clickhere 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 posthere, or click on the blog link below!
And if you missed any part of the tour, check out my prior posts. Thank you!
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! ❤️
I’m thrilled to share the collaboration has begun with an amazing illustrator for my first children’s book!! The release date will be later this year, specifics TBD. This road is one I haven’t traveled before, so a learning curve is ever present. But the journey will be delightful as I watch my adorable character come to life in color on pages through beautiful illustrations. Not to mention, the important message included in the story for both children and adults. More information will follow throughout the year as progress moves forward, and I’m sporting a Big smile…
like this happy canine!
So, food for thought in haiku form…
visualize dreams transform into intentions rewards lie in wait
As I’ve mentioned in prior posts, the progress for my upcoming book, Ever So Gently, is slowly advancing. Life has interrupted at times, but the plan is to release it next month. For the cover, I wanted a minimalist design with soothing shades to complement the title and message I’m conveying. I may play around with the font and placing of the text, but below is a mock sample:
A snippet from the introduction:
“Ever So Gently expresses how I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges. The gentle grace in my heart that is full of gratitude for the love in my life, for being loved. For the support of my family and friends through every stumble and every celebration. When I greet a new day, I am reminded to breathe and live gently. We live in a world riddled with chaos and tragedy, but beauty surrounds us if we open our eyes. I may not always succeed in gentle, but if I slip up, I will try again. A variety of emotions is felt throughout the collection because life can be joyful, but it can also be messy. As to the style of poetry, most are free verse, but since I enjoy trying different forms, I’ve included syllabic poetry as well.
Style notwithstanding, the purpose of compiling this collection is for you, the reader, to discover at least one, but hopefully, a few poems that will evoke a special memory or remind you that you are not alone living with the emotions in your heart. Perhaps you’ll get a good laugh or experience an aha moment. Most importantly, when you turn the last page, I hope you discover the reward of living Ever So Gently.“
Thank you for reading and for your wonderful support in the past! Stay tuned for more information on both books in future posts. May your weekend be filled with adventure and big smiles! ❤️
To the teen, Edward was like a grandpa and dear friend to the boy’s grandma, Mabel, at a time when she persevered through an unforgettable loss. Sounds of war vibrated ruthlessly. Women were placed in subordinate roles. A pocket watch, timeless in its essence, a present, golden in tone and worth. Locomotive chugs down the tracks, a couple turns makes it tick, heartbeat of fifty years. Poignant history, memories to visit now and then… time.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 