“Ever So Gently” by Lauren Scott reads like an Impressionist painting looks.

Lavender, salmon, watermelon, pale green, turquoise, gold, corals, pink, lemon yellow and blue are all in the poet’s word palette.

Resa – Were the poems written in a sort of order, or did you write what you felt, quite randomly, and then organize them?

Lauren – I wrote them when I felt inspired, so no, they weren’t written in any order.

Resa – Did you create the 3 parts when you began, I mean did you know you were writing in 3 topic areas off the start, or did that evolve?

Lauren – Some poems are on my blog and some aren’t. So, I went through the most recent poems on and off my blog and chose the ones I wanted in a book. Then I categorized them, and during that process, the 3 topics evolved. 

 The commonality in each section is that the syllabic poems are at the end. 

In “The Wisdom of Nature” and “Lost in Thought” the order is random.

Resa – Ahh, in “The Wisdom of Nature” I love the poem “In Good Company”.  In it you write:

Resa – You hug redwood trees, and thank them with reverence. More, they impart peace, a wisdom and joy unto you.

Lauren –  When we moved to the bay area in California, I was introduced to a state park only 20 minutes from our house.  You enter the park, and though it’s not far away in distance, you literally feel like you’ve entered a magical wonderland. Redwoods surround you for a day visit, a picnic in the park, or for a fun camping adventure. You stroll along the creek, captivated by their majestic presence. We’ve been to this park a million times, but each time feels like the first.

Ever since I stepped foot in this park, I’ve been in awe of redwoods. It’s incredible how they can grow to be over 300 feet tall, being the tallest in the world. And they can live to be 1,000 years old. That’s just incredible. When I look at them I feel a sense of safety, wisdom, communication, and yet, renewed energy.

Resa – Have you hugged other types of trees? Do different trees each transmit their unique essence to your spirit?

Lauren – I would say yes. When we’ve backpacked, other trees surround us and they’re beautiful, but I don’t feel the same enchantment. So, I can’t really comment about other trees like I can about redwoods.

Lauren – In “The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones” I began with “The World is Broken” because it’s personally a special poem to me. Then I continued with my husband – before and when we met, and as we were married longer. Then the kids, parents, in-laws, sisters, pets…Love in every facet of life. 

From: “The Blue Down Jacket”

Resa – Is the jacket an actual jacket, or a personified metaphor? If real, is it still with you, bringing memories of his mother?

Lauren – Yes, the jacket is real and we still have it. In fact, it will accompany us on our camping trip next week. It’s still loyal (smile), and reminds us of Matt’s mom who died at the age of 59. Way too young. She died the same year our daughter (first child was born).

Lauren – She knew I was pregnant, so the bright side is that she knew she’d be a grandma for the first time. But our daughter and grandma never got to meet. This has always been profound in Steph’s heart. Nor did she meet Michael. Very sad. She would’ve been such a doting grandma. The poem “Diane” is about her.

From “Diane”

Many poems include the family dog, Copper. I adore reading about him, and all the love.  Every time  I read  these  lines  from  the  poem  “Copper”,  I break  into a massive chuckle.

Resa – Were there dogs in your life before Copper? When you were a kid?

Lauren – When I was young, we had Duffy, a black cocker spaniel mix who lived to be 16.  Some time after he died, we got Jasper, a springer spaniel. He was my first dog to grow up with. He lived to be 14 and died when Matt and I started dating. I cried for that entire weekend and Matt still married me! 🙂 We’re inching towards our 35th anniv.

But before Copper, our family had Lucky Girl, a black lab mix. She was our children’s first dog. There’s a poem in the book about her. 

Lauren says to be kind to animals, and adopt a mutt or a rescue!

Resa – I felt Parts 1 & 2 were descriptions/paintings of many people, emotions, places, loves, nature, moments and more. In part 3, I see a dive into your inner self. You ask questions, solve problems, give advice and extend hope.

What do you say to my observation? Was this your intent?

Lauren – You have described the sections perfectly. So, yes, part 3, that was absolutely my intention. Many thoughts or scenarios to ponder. A few weren’t so uplifting, but that’s life. Life isn’t always a sunflower field. 🙂 But hope always waits in the shadows, ready to flow in when ‘she’ feels it’s necessary.

Resa – The poem “Ever So Gently” is a perfect summary to this.

Lauren – I’m glad you feel that way about “Ever So Gently”, and before I had a book title, when I came across that poem, it just clicked.

Resa – Lauren, I was thinking of putting the poem “Ever So Gently” at the end of the post. I’ve changed my mind. If ever there was a spoiler for a book of poetry, “Ever So Gently” is it!

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.

Visit Lauren On Her Blog – Baydreamer

Click on the cover of “Ever So Gently” to buy it on Amazon. Click on the cover of “More Than Coffee” to but it on KOBO. Both venues carry both books, as well as Lauren’s other 2 books: “Finding a Balance” – “New Day New Dreams”

Photo details of Impressionist paintings by Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926) and Helen McNicoll (Canadian, 1879-1915) © by Resa – July 19, 2023 – Exterior Art Gallery of Ontario