Ever So Gently

by Lauren Scott

In Ever So Gently , Lauren Scott shares her strong link to nature, taking the reader on a tranquil walk through a redwood grove. You'll find an invitation to sit quietly on a patio, captivated by the simple beauty of a hummingbird. She'll entice you to revel on the shore of a freshwater lake, mesmerized by its stunning beauty.
Scott shares how love has shaped her life. From that first delicious kiss to celebrating decades of marriage through a love that deepens over time. How her heart melted when she became a mom, then ached when her children started their adult lives across country. And how her adorable canine companions found their way into her heart.
Scott underscores how life presents mysteries we struggle to solve. We can't help but ponder the deeper meaning of a simple vision. She prompts you to reminisce and reflect on your past, present, and future. Through the ups and downs. what matters most is to love and live ever so gently.

Genres: Poetry

126 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2023

About the author

Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four collections of poetry, a memoir, and her first children's book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is shared bimonthly on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

Reviews

[Kym Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren’s latest book of poetry is an intimate tapestry of love, wonder, gratitude, and an impeccable scale of observation stroking the tender senses of family, the sherbet-colored skies and sounds of nature, the celebration of life and unconditional love, along with a sense of being. Lauren’s poignant reflections make us wonder about the larger picture of life, connecting us intimately and passionately.

Her poem “The Old Afghan” reminded me of my mother’s impeccable talent to perfectly crochet her unimaginable creations as she tried teaching me how to tighten my stitches when I was crocheting (of course, that didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped).

While Lauren’s poems were so personally adorned, her poem “Fulfillment” was a testament to life’s journey and resonated with me deeply.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A positive, uplifting book of poems to start the New Year off right. Lauren Scott's words hit home with me and warmed my heart. Many are about family, friendship, nature, and feelings. Every mom will relate to "First Breath" and "A Little Bit More" sums up my relationship with my daughter and our long telephone chats. My favourite in the collection is "The Same Sky", which had me in tears. Fur babies are mentioned as well in poems like "Lucky Girl". And "The Old Afghan" conjured up memories of my dear mom. Comforting words in a disturbing world. Words like these from "The World is Broken":
And he says,
"The good news
for today is
I love you,
Your heart,
Your mind.
Your soul."
The world may be broken,
But I am not.
Thanks, Lauren Scott, for making the world a better place with your thoughts and words expressed so well. Turn off the news and read this book of poems. You'll be glad you did.

[Sally Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, thought provoking and emotive collection of poetry from Lauren Scott.

I savoured each of the three segments of the book. I was engaged from the first poem to the last as the author shared her reflections on nature, her love of family through early days, love and loss, and her thoughts on life, the people around us, the world and the universe.

In the ‘Wisdom of Nature’ Scott captures the essence of the natural world around us, the majesty of the redwood and the colours of autumn. Feathered visitors with tributes such as in ‘The Humming Bird’s Quest’ and ‘Feathered Friends’. There is also recognition of how the tragedy of wildfires can devastate lives leaving nothing but ashes.

In the second segment ‘The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones’, we meet those that the author has loved from generations of her family, with tributes to mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and beloved pets who have left their mark on her life.

In ‘Lost in Thought’ we can relate to thoughts on how we shouldn’t waste time as we only have one life as there is not another waiting on the sidelines. A reminder on how life throws curveballs, and how rearranging a room can change your perspective. One poem in particular that I immediately connected to as being something I have always wondered about.

Maybe

When you sit by the window,
evading life’s demands,
watching hummingbirds
flit about, do you wonder
if our existence is the only
breathing form?
Who’s to assume we’re alone
with stars millions of miles
away glistening in the night?
Maybe other beings wonder
if they are simply
a tiny atom or molecule
floating in the larger picture.
Maybe we’re just a raindrop
in someone else’s universe.

All the poems are memorable and I know that over time I will revisit the collection, especially when life seems more difficult than usual and I need a reminder that there is beauty in the world, kindness and hope. Highly recommended.

[Colleen Chesebro · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ever So Gently” asks us to accompany the author on a profound journey into the human condition seen through her own experiences. Scott has a way of making the mundane things in life a positive poetic event. That upbeat theme lasts throughout the book.

She split the book into three sections: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, the Laughter, the Wisdom of Chaos; and Lost in Thought. The author explores nature and how she relates to those quiet times when nature calls her name. The next section deals with the love in her life. The last section deals with the author’s deeper nature as she explores her feelings in greater detail.

I was surprised to see an excellent collection of haiku, and other forms of syllabic poetry in the book. It was easy to connect with the variety of poems and themes. I enjoyed all of them!

I had two favorite poems. One was called “The Sign” and the other, “Ever So Gently.” Both poems are contemplative in nature but filled with hope for the good things in life to enrich our lives.

[Kaye Lynne Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry is so personal, offering a window into the author’s soul, and Ever So Gently does this beautifully. Many of the poems contained within resonated with me on a personal level. As a both nature and animal lover, the vivid images of the cautiously flitting hummingbird, a garden renewed, and beloved pets helped me to feel the moments described within each, as if witnessing or experiencing them.

See my full review here: https://writingtoberead.com/2023/11/2...

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Scott’s poetry, I know I’ll unearth thoughts and feelings deeply personal to her life, reflections that will undoubtedly resonate with mine. The experience of what it is to be human, the shared longings and losses, and the way love shapes our days is the thread that ties this collection together.

This book of about 90 poems is divided into three parts. The first is a peaceful exploration of nature; the second, Scott’s appreciation of the many forms of love in her life; and finally, a series of poems on a broader scope of thoughts. They’re all lovely and positive with an underlying theme of love and appreciation. This is a feel-good collection of both free-form and syllabic poetry that I’m delighted to recommend.

A few favorites: “The Hummingbird’s Quest” (from the section on nature). “The World is Broken,” “If the Universe would Share,” and “Mom’s Plea” (from the section on loved ones). “Maybe,” and “Other Worlds” (from the section on broader reflections). A romantic beauty:

The Giver

He pulls me
into myself so
I may see
qualities
he loved from the beginning
though his perception
runs deeper –
mine, a trace of clouds,
then he lifts
my heart and
soul to the starlit sky where
our dreams become us.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ever So Gently” is a beautiful collection of free verse and symbolic poetry. It is broken into three sections that cover nature, life’s moments, and some author insights. I love nature and I’m drawn to vivid images, but the emotions and insights explored in our shared experiences were equally intriguing. There was a peace within these pages that allowed me to drift off into a poetic slumber when I was done reading. Although I enjoyed the entire collection, here are a few lines that captured my heart. “Fresh raindrops/gently landed/on their wilted spirit/as I witnessed them lifting…”—Wilted Spirits, “You stowed dreams in the clouds,/imaginings rose higher than the heavens…”—First Breath, “Their presence graced my universe beautifully like an endless ceiling of bright blue sky. Then they were gone.”—Friendships Gone, and “Its glow will grow ever so gently/into a bright beacon of hope/rising with the golden sun/bringing clarity to our vision.”—Ever So Gently. A collection that I will be enjoying again and can highly recommend.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Carol Balawyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Scott shows that she is fearless in exposing her love, her joys, her sorrows and her dreams.
A beautiful collection.

[Selma Writes · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Read it slowly, and savor it long<

Ever So Gently–A collection of poems by Lauren Scott, a book of 126 pages, is a
beautiful collection to savor more than once. In a combination of poetry forms like
free verse, haiku and tanka, etheree, shadorma, and others, the Author celebrates
family memories and present moments and reflections on where she is in her life
today. Read it slowly and feel the words cause your own memories to float to the
surface.

The book is divided into three parts: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, the Laughter,
The Chaos, The Loved Ones; and Lost In Thought. In Part 2, there’s even a poem from
the perspective of Copper, her Labrador—a clear indication of the different loves in
the Author’s life. Undeniably you will find the words swell your heart with gratitude too.

I recommend Ever So Gently to anyone who knows how to tap into and make much of
the happy moments in life. Because life is not always a bed of roses, yet beautiful
things happen all the time. Any of the poems will have resonance. What, with language
like these excerpts from the book:

“That this routine, though simple to some, would not be the same, would not provide
the comforting experience if one of us was not present? I shudder to imagine such a
scenario…” ~Toots and Circles\

“the soil exhaled and my lantana sang “Hallelujah!” ~ October’s Miracle\

“When I reminisce to these years, memories make me pause… to a time when I
witnessed their laughter and tears,” ~The Tiny Town\

“a little bit more. I’m sure she knows the amount of residence she claims in my heart.
Then again, it is quite difficult to quantify.” ~A Little Bit More\

“Then with the years your adolescence faded like my blue dye, but I stayed loyal.”
~The Blue Down Jacket\

“Life is like a package wrapped in festive paper.” ~Darker Than The Deepest Sea\

All the poems offered me a tender glimpse into Scott’s life. One calm evening to read
through this poetry collection is all I needed to recognize how much I have in common
with this Author. That she and her husband are empty nesters puts me right in her
shoes. So the poem that will remain tucked safely in my happy place is the following:

“I find comfort in the clothes\ strewn on the floor\ soon to be dumped in the
washer,\ wallet lying on the dresser,\ cell charging, bed comforter\ in
shambles\because the messiness\ displays his presence.\ Now with air miles
accumulated\ back in his time zone,\ the room shines in all its cleanliness,\ the
neatness grating on my nerves,\ the silence, a cold shoulder.\ My hand pulls back
the comforter,\ tousling, creating wrinkles\ in the navy fabric, then I pull\ some
old shirts from the closet,\ tossing them on the floor.\ I can certainly pretend\
he’s just out with friends…”\\ The Mess, p.59

I hope you’re ready for just such a book, serene and enticing, that will speak ever so gently to your soul. I cannot wait to read more poetry like this from this Author.
5-star rating from a satisfied customer. >Read it slowly, and savor it long<

[Miriam Hurdle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems by Lauren Scott is a cozy and delightful read. I love the pastel color scheme of the cover. It conveys a soft feeling like the fluffy feathers caressing my skin. Her son Michael painted the cover on canvas. The title and the cover join in a beautiful harmony.

Even though this was an autumn evening, I snuggled in front of my fireplace, let the flames warm my face, and let Scott’s words warm my heart. By looking at the content, I knew gems were waiting to be found. This collection is divided into three parts. The first part touches on nature, the second part on relationships and loved ones, and the third part on thoughts in life.

Scott painted nature with her soft strokes. “Cottony clouds drift by. We want to move into them, feel their softness enfold us.” “Tiny threads of peace weave into the marrow of our souls mending any fretting that stirred.” “I wonder if pine needles wiggle in delight until they float to the earth…” The vivid imagery invited my presence in her natural world with the hummingbird, the sunflower, the peach rose, the lantana, the rocks, and the shiny shells.

Scott shared her joyous moments of meeting her husband and their newfound love. “Life has blossomed into delight and wonder in every part of its glowing greatness.” She missed her son and daughter, who were grown and gone. She would leave her son’s room messy to remind her of his presence. The days when the children were little were greatly missed. She reminisced about the younger days when her parents moved from place to place, and she missed old friends. The old Afghan reminded her of the memory and wisdom of her mom. One Sunday afternoon, she had the last conversation with her dad. “His voice offers no response, silent for eternity, his body, a shell.” Scott’s memorable moments reminded me of my own with my husband, my daughter, and my parents.

The poem “Things I Know, Believe and Imagine” posted a valuable question. “I believe Love should remain the center of all humankind, but since hate continues to linger on the street, here’s a question to ponder… what should we do differently?” A Two-Wheel Getaway told a cheerful story of meeting biking strangers who became instant friends. The star poem Ever So Gently conveyed the message of hope.

“Its [star’s] glow will grow ever so gently
Into a bright beacon of hope
Rising with the golden sun
Bringing clarity to our vision.”

[Alex Craigie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several of Lauren Scott’s anthologies now and each one has stirred a variety of powerful emotions in me. It’s the mark of an excellent writer – that ability to create emotions in others through your words.
Ever So Gently is another of these powerful anthologies. The topics are varied but feature shared experiences that most of us can identify with.
The natural world features as a healing balm to soothe a modern soul beset with pressures and stresses often caused by our hectic, fast-tracked lives. In A Detour we have:
Surely our minds piled high with clutter, deserve/ a detour for some sweet refuge.
In Our Patio Guest, we have the horrors of the world today juxtaposed with the beauty and wonder of a visiting hummingbird.
Other poems share the triumphs and losses of family life. There are moving tributes to parents and pets, all realised vividly and perceptively.
In Mirrors, there’s a recognition that a body changed by giving birth is still beautiful and to be appreciated. Other poems highlight the contrasts between noisy children and that hollow silence when they leave us that is balanced by the sharing of the same sky, and the distance being merely geography.
Sometimes it’s the simplest words that have the most impact. One poem that hit home says:
(I) Have been embraced/ by the chilling presence / of loneliness.
Other poems reference love for a partner. These were some of my favourites and in The World is Broken, there’s a tribute to the power of love and its ability to and put things in their context.
The rhyming poetry didn’t touch me in the same way as the free verse does. The Old Afghan is a case in point where the metaphor of the garment is beautifully woven through the stanzas to create an emotional tribute to her mother.
A shining 4.5 stars, and I’m already looking forward to the next anthology.

[Balroop Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott’s poetry celebrates memories and moments in her latest collection - ‘Ever So Gently.’ Her connection with the surroundings blends into the wisdom of nature that unfolds through stunning imagery like: “hear the rustle of a skittering squirrel,” “petals of velvet invite raindrops to bask in their peach enchantment,” and “breeze carries burdens down rivers.”

From the birds that ‘flit and flutter’ to build their nest to the owl who proclaims his presence with his ‘high-pitched toots’ and the hummingbirds that flutter around the “bright pink petals” - all find a place of honor in this book to delight your moods. Lauren’s realism captivates and appeals to all the senses. Some of her poems express profound love that we cherish and yearn for - she tells you how valuable that love has been in her life.

From ‘The Peach Rose’ to ‘Firestorm’ and not to forget ‘I Was Adopted,’ her poetry slides most naturally on the wide canvas of creativity. However, poems that speak of love, of growing up and bonding are the ones that touched my heart. Who can ever forget ‘The Old Afghan,’ which is most relatable!

I haven't read a more beautiful description of sunset - “The sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows - brighter with every second. It’s as though a painter swished her brush back and forth…”
Some more examples of Scott’s brilliant style:
“And water hasnt caressed the hills
The earth, parched like Chile’s Atacama.”
“Silk-thread drizzles dusted rooftops and parched hills.”
“How he tenderly tiptoed through the syllables.”(I could feel the poignancy of the emotion)

A combination of free verse and syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma etc. this is a lovely collection of poetry. Read it slowly to savor each emotion.

[Robbie Cheadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever So Gently: A collection of poems is a beautiful memoir of the poet's life and experiences, mellowed by experience and understanding, and told through carefully selected words. The poems are a mixture of freestyle and syllabic and share some vivid and delightful imagery the celebrates important moments in the poet's life.

For me, the emphasis with this collection is on the softening of the poet's attitude towards, and views, on life gained through experience and living. This message, reflected in the title "Ever So Gently" and the beautiful and peaceful cover, is wonderful and absorbing. Its subtle repetition throughout this book is like slipping into a warm bubble bath. It evokes the same delightful sense of peace and calm. My words must not be misunderstood to mean that none of the poems demonstrate moments of anguish and angst, as that is not the case. Those moments, that are so catastrophic and devastating to the poet at the time of occurrence are there, but their harshness is lessened through acceptance and understanding gained over the passage of time.

A few verses that I particularly enjoyed:

"A lone sailboat glides by
pausing for the unfolding.
With hair the color of an egret,
an older man leans against a stump."
From The Sun Knows

"raindrops vacillate
layers hold their own secrets
delicate delight"
From The Peach Rose

"Each purl stitch was interwoven with love
from her gentle touch.
She, the teacher, me, the student,
as our bodies sank into the sofa
checkered in a 70's palette.
From The Old Afghan

The two poems that I related to the most were The Mess and Young Campers, both about the poets children. This book is a celebration of life, the good and the less good.

[Dawn Pisturino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Scott’s latest poetry collection reflects the inner life of the poet as she seeks to bring serenity and harmony into her world.

In “Messages from the Sea,” her verses paint a vivid portrait of nature, using keen observations and sensitive emotional reactions:

“listen intently
inhale, exhale, feel the calm
your soul will thank you”

Her signature poem, “Ever So Gently,” reminds us to leave our negative thoughts behind and enjoy the positive things around us:

“Remember, the breeze carries
burdens down rivers
and across oceans,
majestic trees sway with joy,
sheltering from shadows,
and the light shines even if only
a slight glimmer slips through”

Even when trouble rears its ugly head, Lauren embraces it with gentle grace, as described in her poem, “Diane.”

“a caring, soft force
a disciplinarian
heart teeming with love
her circle embraced the warmth
from her glimmering essence

“poppy-orange painted
fingernails matched her kind smile
her laugh contagious
lifting wavering spirits
always spreading elation
she blessed our marriage
twenty-four months was her time,
tendered memories
nourishing our emotions
unbeknown the grief to come

“time swiftly progressed
cancer penetrated her
soul, the oxygen
tank accompanied us on
that cold day in December

“we slid onto faux
leather, an afternoon lunch
the horizon bleak
her love flowed into my heart
strong emotions untethered

“fifty-nine was her
final number of candles
on her apple pie
a haunting, morning phone call
altering lives forever”

Life, love, death — all of these themes are covered in this collection of beautifully-written poems. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your heart and soul with us!

Website: www.baydreamerwrites.com

[Maggie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a slow meandering walk through this beautiful collection of poems.
In Part One (The Wisdom of Nature), enjoy the captivating imagery of Lauren's words.
In "I Wonder", she writes, "I know I would cheerfully slip on my dancing shoes if the sky above me suddenly exploded in vivid oranges", while "Messages from the Sea", reminds us to pause and enjoy the moment.
In Part Two (The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones), Lauren writes about family life and her marriage. I found the poems in this part tender and, also touched with sad moments too. You can tell the words came straight from Lauren's heart.
In "The Giver", this line took my breath away, "then he lifts my heart and soul to the starlit sky while our dreams become us.
I also loved "In Technicolour" and "If the Universe would share".
In Part Three Lauren says it so well in "Ever So Gently" with this line, "we tumble too deeply into the frontal lobe"., a reminder not to get caught up by negative emotions.
I loved this book of Poetry and look forward to reading more of Lauren's work.

[D.G. Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren writes beautiful and heartfelt poetry. In this book she divides the book up into sections of various types of poetry – The Wisdom of Nature, – The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones, and, – Lost in Thought. A lovely mix of story poems from nature to reflections on moment’s in life – reminiscing of poignant and tender moments, firsts, becoming a mom, reflections on life, losses, and her love for her family and pets. The imagery Scott portrays from her words are moving and many so relevant to today’s world.

Aptly titled, this book takes us in to various moments, giving pause, and stirring up some of my own memories, reminding subtly within the prose that life’s gentle moments are gifts in our ever busy lives.

[Resa McConaghy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like an Impressionist painting looks!

This book of gentle poetry reinforces love of family, nature and the mysteries of life. Written in a free style, the poems are organized into 3 sections: The Wisdom of Nature, The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos and The Loved Ones. Each section breaks from free style at its end and features syllabic poetry. This book is for lovers of poetry who look for words to savour, poems to read over and over and a book to treasure in their collection. Through her writing, Lauren Scott reveals a caring and gentle soul that lives up to the title of her book.

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memorable collection of poetry
Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems is, as the title suggests, a gentle meandering through life circumstances and settings. Poet Lauren Scott writes from her heart, and I found that her transparency brought me into my own heart. Beautiful writing.

[Lisa Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reminder to live mindfully. I found the author's words gently guiding me to an awareness of each moment. Lauren Scott's beautiful prose paints a vivid picture for all to see. I loved the reminders to appreciate the beauty and even the messes of life, because they all are precious.