I’m happy to share the great news that my good friends Maggie, Mike, Dawn, and Robbie have been nominated for 2026 Best of the Net. Also, Robbie’s son, Michael, who’s following in his mom’s footsteps. Editor Michelle Navajas of Hotel by Masticadores found their work to be worthy of this high honor, and I couldn’t agree more with Michelle. So, please join me in Congratulating not only these talented authors, but all of the nominees! You can read about these amazing authors and their writing by clicking on the link below. 🎉
And I’ll leave you with another peek into Colorado beauty that inspired a poem…
Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National ParkSprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National ParkTrail that loops around Bear LakeTrail of Aspens with the Rocky Mountains in the distance
Dear Nature,
You cast your spell and all sense of reality magically slips away into the ether. Your shimmering lakes entice with their serenity. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Your trails lead to places only presented in our imaginations. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Your mountains humble in their magnificence. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Your aspens captivate, donning their golden apparel. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Thank you for your beauty, for your gifts of tranquility… priceless gems to be cared for, never to be taken for granted.
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Thank you for your presence! I hope you enjoyed the pics and poem, and please visit Michelle’s post to Congratulate the nominees! Have a wonderful day! ❤️
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
What a surprise to find that my poem is published today on Gobblers by Masticadores! I offer my deepest gratitude to Manuela Timofte for sharing my writing. It’s always an honorto be featured among many talented writers, so I hope you’ll visit her beautiful site.
The Old Pink Restaurant
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...
To read the full poem, please click on the link below. Your support means the world to me. ❤️
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
We had a fabulous time with our son as he played tour guide, showing us incredible sights in Colorado. It was a long weekend that went by fast. But while I was offline, Manuela at Gobblers by Masticadores published “Almost Fall-ing” and this morning, Dagmara at Spillwords Press published “Spider on a Hand.” I hadn’t planned to do a post today, but I chose to combine both to honor Dagmara and Manuela’s generosity.
Thanks again to Manuela for sharing my writing each month, and to Dagmara and her team for accepting my recent submission. It is always a great honor to have my writing featured on both of these literary sites, and to be in the company of many talented authors, some of whom I consider friends in this online community.
First, here are a few photos from Colorado, and we were thrilled to see autumn’s stunning presence:
Rocky Mountain National ParkBear Lake in Rocky Mountain National ParkBreckenridge, COBreckenridge, CO
Now, I offer you my poems:
Gobblers by Masticadores
A sample haiku:
crisp mornings join late summer afternoons to greet fall’s cozy prelude
Trust doesn’t come easily. She can’t be bought like dropping quarters in a gumball machine, and she doesn’t hand out trust as if distributing flyers for an open house. It takes time and discernment, the emotion that comes with falling in love, you just feel it. You know it’s been earned – the intuition, a tattoo on your heart. What happened then? Conversations sharing pure joy, utter anguish spilled like oil in the sea. Suddenly, she’s a spider on a hand that gets brushed off…
To read the the full “Almost Fall-ing” post, please click here.
To read the full “Spider on a Hand” poem, please click here.
If you feel it in your heart to ‘like’ each post, and even have the time to leave a comment, I would greatly appreciate it.
As always, thanks for stopping by, and I’ll catch up with your posts today too. I’ve missed you all, but it was wonderful to see our son. These visits are gold when children live out of state. Please know your support on Spillwords and Gobblers means the world to me.
Have a wonderful week ahead. 🧡🍁 p.s. more Colorado photos to come.
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’m thrilled to share with you a new novel, Beyond the Fetters, written by my friend, Balroop Singh.I’ve read Balroop’s beautiful poetry collections that are always evocative, deeply touching the heart. Then I was excited to hear that she has a new novel coming out.
Balroop’s words:
“This is an ambitious project, dear to my heart as I’ve been working on it for almost seven years.”
So, I invite you to read what the buzz is all about:
The Inspiration:
Fetters are not just chains or manacles used to restrain a prisoner.
Fetters is a metaphor with wider and profound implications. They symbolize the emotional and mental restraints imposed by society. They refer to the unwritten rules that bind the spirit of people, that clip the wings of girls in their infancy, and they grow up with oppressive traditions and antiquated systems. They are stronger than physical fetters, as there is no key to open them. So, breaking these shackles is impossible.
The inspiration to rebel against so-called traditions lies at the foundation of this story. The journey of my characters was not easy, but their resolve to break free could never be weakened as they were ready to jump into the cauldron of embers. Physical wounds couldn’t scare them, lack of support didn’t shake their determination, and resistance couldn’t weaken their willpower.
Book Blurb:
Some babies are born with invisible fetters. They may strut about in their homes with wishes of flying high, but their wings never grow, and if they do, they are clipped by the diktats of traditions. Such stories remain within the hearts of girls, as their lips are sealed by cultural compulsions.
Earthy is one such girl, but her determination to break free could never be vanquished. She yearns to grow up again, to feel the sunshine that filters through the arms of her parents, to soak in the showers of harmony, to giggle with abandon and swirl with her dreams.
The sudden, untimely demise of her father rips her whole world apart, and the little joys of childhood vanish. From emotional deluge to resilience and detachment, she treads the paths of her life, struggling to rise above the average.
Dolly’s freedom takes her away from her family, and her choices boomerang. Imperceptible fetters follow her in the garb of love that she chooses. Should we pay attention to Grandma’s wise words – “We are tied to our destiny?” ‘Beyond the Fetters’ explores the possibilities of girls looking beyond their so-called destiny.
Book Information:
Title: Beyond the Fetters Author: Balroop Singh Genre: Fiction Publication date: October 1, 2025 Amazon link: https://tinyurl.com/mu4bzr7v
An Excerpt:
Grandma’s word was the law. Age had not touched this beautiful woman. She was still svelte, walked straight with poise and wielded control of her estate with an exceptional zeal. Her sons tried to emulate her free, traditional spirit and respected her towering presence.
The warning of “not giving her too much” stayed with Earthy all day. She played with her cousins but grandma’s comment hammered at her mind again and again. She quietly munched her evening meal and didn’t ask for more.
At night, she lay beside her mama and asked, “Why did Grandma say that?”
“What did she say?”
“Didn’t you hear when she yelled?” She said, “Don’t give her too much to eat.’”
“She is right. Girls shouldn’t eat too much.”
“But why?” Earthy’s innocent eyes implored for an explanation.
“They grow up faster.”
“Won’t Trod grow up faster? He eats so much.”
“That doesn’t matter. Don’t keep an evil eye on your brother’s food. He is a boy. He has to take up many responsibilities.” Shanti’s wrath was noteworthy.
The conversation ended abruptly each time as Earthy was expected to keep her mouth shut. “Girls don’t talk much,” her grandma often told her.
She looked at the high ceiling of the room for a long time. The carvings transformed into real figures that resonated with her until dreamy cobwebs took her to the land of fairies. She loved this land, where clouds shimmered and trees whispered magical songs, far away from the people who liked to comment on her.
***
Nobody could snub Earthy. The next morning, when she saw Grandma, sitting in the verandah, attached to the kitchen, churning buttermilk in a big earthen vessel, she kissed her good morning and asked the same question – “Ma, why can’t I eat as much as I want?”
Grandma was more than happy to answer it. She stopped churning, looked at Earthy and said, “If you eat all day and grow taller, we’ll have to marry you. So, what is the need to grow up so fast? You have a lot to learn before you go.” Grandma laughed and started moving the strings of the wooden stand that fitted in the vessel.
“Marry? Were you married when you grew tall? Didn’t they ask you about your wishes?”
“Girls don’t have wishes and who cares about them?” Grandma muttered.
Earthy tilted her head quizzically. She didn’t understand the logic. She didn’t know the significance of the word ‘marriage’ at the tender age of eight. Why should she stay half-fed because of this so-called marriage?
About the Author:
Balroop Singh, an educator, a poet and an author always had a passion for writing. She would jot down her reflections on a piece of paper and forget about them till each drawer of her home started overflowing with reminders of her creativity, popping out at will! The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism. Soaring on the wings of words, she gathers the dreams, and blends them with the melodies of nature. She writes about people, emotions and relationships.
Balroop Singh has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling leaves and the sound of waterfalls. The moonlight streaming through her garden, the flowers, the meadows, the butterflies cast a spell on her. She lives in California.
Simply click on the link below to pre-order the kindle version, and the paperback will be available on October 1st.
A Huge Congratulations to Balroop, and Thank you, dear friends, for taking time from your busy schedule to visit my corner of blogland. I hope you’re enticed and will add Balroop’s book to your home library. I can’t wait to hold the paperback in my hands.
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?
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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
I’ve received so many amazing reviews for my book, that it’s time to pay it forward. So, this is the first batch of reviews with five more coming later this month. And another shout out to everyone who has offered support in some manner during my King Copper journey. I love you all! 💖
Back to these fabulous books…once you begin reading, you won’t want to put any of these down, even if life tries to intercept, and you know it will! 🙂 Simply click on the author names if you’d like to visit their websites!
Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton is a beautifully crafted love story full of passion. We meet crime writer, Matthew Oliver, and Jacqueline Fortin, a successful Los Angeles Anchorwoman. They have a long history together but parted ways. Suddenly, she’s back in his life, and their chemistry is what anyone would long for. Let me share an example of Sefton’s tantalizing prose:
‘He understood why a fallen leaf would want to lodge itself in her wavy strands. He kissed her on the spot where the leaf had been then let the errant flora fall on the kitchen tile – a concern for another time. His lips confirmed what his eyes suspected. Parched from months of emptiness, they were quenched by a softness that brushed against his soul, like a golden sunrise whispering its way above a lone hill. A soft beginning that turned his doting love for her into a warm and fiery glow.’
Will their intense physical attraction and love for each other be enough this time? Are their goals for the future aligned? I will let you find out for yourself. As the season changes and temperatures begin to cool, cuddle up with this captivating novella when an evening is winding down and your thoughts have taken a back seat. Let Sefton’s poetic prose transport you to another world built with many enticing layers. Highly recommended.
I am familiar with D.L. Finn’s beautiful poetry. So, when I heard she had released a third book in the “Just Her Poetry” series, I bought a copy right away. The dog-eared paperback lies on my desk as I type this review. Finn’s collection spans from earlier published poems to newly released. I followed her journey from the beginning, which is a tribute to nature through a selection of syllabic poetry and lovely photos paired with them. We share the same love of nature and family, along with gratitude playing a significant role in life. Through Finn’s emotional journey, I smiled and also became teary-eyed. Every emotion you can imagine is highlighted throughout this evocative collection. She creates such vivid scenes that I felt as though I had stepped into a specific moment, feeling the sentiments with every bit of energy. There are too many favorites to mention, so here are a few:
“The Forest”
the forest’s sweet song/caresses my weary soul/with healing beauty
“Summer” (first two verses)
When I think of childhood summers, It’s swimming, playing, fishing, and vacations Long nights, as I imagined my next adventure Finally, the crickets’ song lulled me into happy dreams.
My old house was heavy with heat Making me wish I could lift the roof to cool Square metal fans hummed in every room, Everyone, except my grandparents, wore shorts and tank tops.
“Suicide Song” caught me off guard. I learned a little bit more about D.L. Finn. My heart ached, but the poem also speaks about second chances. A poignant and powerful piece of writing. I highly recommend this poetic compilation for everyone who appreciates poetry that touches on real life.
A Noble Bargain is the second book I have read by Jan Sikes. She has a natural skill of pulling readers into her stories, making them feel like part of the character line up. I enjoyed A Beggar’s Bargain so much that I could not pass up the second book. In no time, I fell in love with Oliver Quinn and Rose Blaine. The year is 1948 in a rural Arkansas town. Times are simpler, but hard work is part of the landscape.
Oliver comes from a loving family who does not think twice about helping others in need. He is the kind of son every parent dreams of. His father passed away and he misses him dearly, but he adores his mother who has a heart of gold. Oliver also holds in his heart an American dream, and he will persevere to make it come true. His family is one I would love to meet. Rose and her two brothers live in a completely opposite world riddled with domestic abuse. After the tragic loss of their mother, the siblings have suffered under the violent fist of their alcoholic father. I had no trouble disliking their father, to put it mildly. Sadly, an escape had never presented itself, but Rose is determined to find a way.
One night, Oliver and Rose meet by chance, which is the beginning of their story. I enjoyed rooting for this kind young man to change Rose’s life for the better. I wanted Rose and her brothers to find a way out of the terror they had been living in. But to avoid spoiler alerts, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a compelling story that spotlights the good in people and the benefit of resilience.
Cade’s Quest begins the first in a series about The McIntyre’s and truly conveys the special connection of family. Readers are transported to the old west in the late 1800s. Four years prior, Cade and his siblings underwent a horrific event when their parents were murdered. And yet, even this amount of time could not erase the horror Cade experienced of “staring into their mother’s face frozen in death and seeing a fly on her cheek.” I felt his agony through the riveting words on the page. Reading about the tragedy was heartbreaking, but what tore at my heart even more were the town “do-gooders” deciding where each child would go. Imagine what it would feel like being young and ripped away from your sisters and brothers after losing your parents in a horrifying crime. Making sense of the heinous act alone for a young child would seem impossible. Imagine how alone and frightened you would feel. Now as an adult, Cade’s mind is set. He needs to find his siblings, but he doesn’t know the first place to look.
I love Cade’s demeanor: courageous, kind, and dedicated to those he loves. As he initiates his quest, several obstacles get in his way – one is being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, which forces him to run. Rumors about his brother, Jess, have him wondering what is true or simply gossip. Along his journey, he meets a young Comanche woman, Rain, who cares for her orphaned nephew. She is also on the run from evil. They become each other’s ally, but will their friendship develop into something more beautiful? You will need to dive into Broday’s exciting storytelling to find out! I highly recommend Cade’s Quest for those who enjoy a gripping western drama.
I’m also adding a lovely book that would be perfect for your coffee table. My copy should arrive tomorrow!
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Thanks for stopping by, andI hope you‘re leaving with a book or two or four! 😁 Wishing you a beautiful week! 🩷
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
When I think of the new season upon us, I envision warm reds, oranges, and yellows, and vibrant shades of pink. I can smell cinnamon baking in the oven, and imagine sipping a pumpkin spice latte for a morning treat and hot apple cider as an evening winds down. Maybe an occasional indulgence in a delicious apple crisp, and of course, some cozying up under soft blankets. This is my favorite season, so won’t you join me as we enjoy a little fall-ing? 🍂🍎🍁
These photos are from years past, as summer is stubborn and won’t let the trees transform just yet, but I’m readyfor the change now…
1.
crisp mornings join late summer afternoons to greet fall’s cozy prelude
2.
leaves change into their raspberry autumn wardrobe attire for the dance
3.
new season creates inundation in its wake melodious crunch
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Do you have a favorite? 1, 2, or 3? Or maybe all three?😁 Thanks for swinging by, and I wish you a peaceful Sunday. 🩷
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
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 at Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
Clinking of pots and pans echoes throughout the house. I sit on my bed, leaning against the pine headboard while Mom’s busy in the kitchen getting dinner ready. Dad will walk through the door any minute sporting his huge smile, happy to see his family after a long day’s work. I miss my brother, Jack, who moved out last August for his first year in college. The house is quiet without him pushing my buttons. He was really good at teasing his younger sister! Now that he’s not here, my heart has a big hole in it, and the void triggers my negative head space. My back slides down the headboard, taking my mood with it. Suddenly, I can hear my grandma say, “You shouldn’t slouch, dear.” My mind drifts about life: everything I love and hate. I know hate is a strong word, but it’s the word that fits. I love my family; it’s me I have a problem with. When I first heard the Taylor Swift song, “The Outside” I felt as though she wrote the lyrics for me.
Dad recently accepted a job in this small town. He told Mom that it would benefit his banking career and would be a good change from the big city for all of us. She supported him, so I had to move. After all, I’m a minor. The bummer is that I’m a new student at the high school in the middle of my junior year. Not easy for a sixteen-year-old, but I forgive my parents. Maybe I’m more mature than other teenagers. Sometimes parents have their reasons for doing things and kids will never get it. Most of the time, mine are cool, so I try to understand their decision – even if this move has been awkward for me.
When I’m on campus, I feel like a weed in a garden of roses. Acne is so annoying, and my body is the bane of my existence. My parents thought I was cute when I was a chubby, little girl. But cute isn’t what I see staring at me in the mirror. My long, auburn hair, and blue eyes that change to green are the only things I like about myself. I need to lose a few pounds too. The current culture is no body-shaming, but kids do it anyway because some kids are jerks, boys and girls!
I’m just not a pretty girl on campus, and I don’t care if I’m pretty or not, but being judged makes me feel uncomfortable. I turn a corner in the hall and there’s another model-thin girl strolling past me. It’s not like they didn’t exist back home in the big city, and pretty girls come in all shapes and sizes. Thin doesn’t mean perfect and thin doesn’t always mean healthy.
So why do I feel unsure about myself? One thing I’m sure of is that I miss the bright lights and energy buzzing through the streets of the big city, horns honking, and people walking fast in every direction with someplace important they need to be. I had three girlfriends back home, and a couple of boys who weren’t crushes, but cool to hang out with. All the kids in my inner circle accepted each other for who they were. The same insecurities lived with me, but the friends I made were more accepting. We’ve stayed in touch through texts, emails, and talking on the phone, but I wonder if our friendships will eventually fade. It’s hard when you can’t see each other in person. On campus, the perfect kids stare and laugh behind my back. Are these assumptions in my head? No, I couldn’t make up the staring and laughing. I know the difference between reality and imagination.
I tap on the calendar in my cell phone…three months, two weeks, and four days have passed since the big move across the state. Funny how it feels like a year! My finger hovers above the Facebook app, and I know it’s the wrong move. Stay away, I warn myself, but I don’t listen. I scroll through photos of my friends hanging out with other friends; they seem to mock me. Why don’t I delete my account? I really hate social media, which alone puts me in a different circle than most teens. I’m not one of those girls who likes to share meals, clothes, and fingernail polish. It’s so stupid!
“Emma, you need to just be yourself,” Mom reminds me. She and Dad drill the point across to not worry about what others think. “Try to put yourself out there to make friends, Em,” Dad says. Sure. No problem…in a new high school and new town. Easier said than done. I wonder if they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be young.
I close out the Facebook app as quickly as I opened it. If you ask me about popularity, it’s never been important. But I need to find my own group of friends. I want to belong. I want to find my own corner on campus. A patch of grass where I can park myself and talk with other girls or boys who like the things I do…cats, dogs, hiking, reading, writing, and listening to music. Can my peers overlook what my mirror shows me? Are my insecurities confusing my perspective? Time plays an important role in life – more wisdom from my parents. So, after more time passes, I may like this town. I may like the school. I may fit in. It’s hard to imagine, but I don’t feel it’s impossible.
Mom’s voice travels up the stairs like a pop song melody, telling me that dinner’s on the table. I can smell her spaghetti sauce. She is the best cook! The Italian aroma lifts my spirits as my stomach growls. I slide off my bed and hit the stairs running. Dad got home twenty minutes earlier, giving him and Mom time to catch up before I join them. We sit down at our oak dining table and they ask about my highs and lows. It’s a good way for them to understand what I’m going through. I can talk to them about anything. They have an open door policy, but there’s one thing I haven’t shared…
After dinner, I offer to do the dishes, but mom gives me the night off. I take the stairs two at a time back to my room. I pull my cat journal out of my desk drawer and slide into my usual spot on the bed, pushing my pillow up against the headboard and scooting back into it. My thoughts wander on the lined pages. It’s amazing how time flies when I’m reading a great book or writing. The sun begins to set. Darkness slowly falls outside my window. The bright moon winks at me through my shutters, and it’s comforting. Tomorrow is Friday. One more day at school before the weekend. I can make it. Wow, I feel tired, but my thoughts won’t sleep.
I think about how we used to go to church as a family. It’s been a few years since my parents became frustrated with some people in the congregation. Disheartened enough that they decided to step away from organized religion. I still say prayers though. Does God listen? I don’t know, but I always feel better afterwards. I’m sure it helps just getting the words out. Telling the universe about what makes me happy and anxious. And I always say what I’m grateful for – Mom and Dad who love me and who try their best, and Jack who I miss so much. I know how lucky I am.
Tonight is different though. I close my eyes, and I pray for something that I’ve never talked about. I didn’t want Mom and Dad to worry about me or feel bad about moving. So, tonight I pray for a friend, someone to laugh with. Someone to calm the negative thoughts spinning inside my mind. Parents can only help to a certain point. A friend will ease the awkwardness of moving to a strange town in the middle of high school. A friend will make me feel accepted. Just one friend. Can you hear me, God? Am I asking for too much? It’s not like I’m asking for two.
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Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
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 at Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 