Maggie Watson's Blog, page 21

One Year Since Release

This book will always hold a special place in my heart.

Tomorrow will be a year since this Collection was released!

“Threads “is one of the poems from that Collection.

We are all pieces of threads
each one of us, as
fragile as the rest.
Waiting for someone to
sew us to their hearts
and keep us there no matter
what.
Many of us will end up
in a box with all the
other loose threads
no one wanted.
At some juncture in
the future, discarded.
We are the loose ends of life
never intended to be someone’s
lover or wife.
Just a piece of thread that
could not find a needle
in the sewing box of life.

Copyright © 2024 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

*The Kindle Edition of this Collection is on Promo at Amazon.com

Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 8:00 AM PDTWednesday, October 2, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

And also Amazon.uk

Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 8:00 AM GMTWednesday, October 2, 2024, 8:00 AM GMT

Review of Ever So Gently by Lauren Scott

About Lauren

Lauren Scott is a poet and writer of short stories, both fiction and reflections of her life. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matthew, and their lab, Copper; they have two grown children. She has authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee, and her latest book is a poetry collection, Ever So Gently, that was released in July 2023. Her poetry has been published on Spillwords Press, and she was voted author of the Month for May 2023. Lauren is a contributing author in the anthologies, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships (2022) and This is How We Grow (2023). She has recently finished her first children’s book and is working with her illustrator, planning to publish in early 2024. Her writing inspiration comes from love of family, spending time in the great outdoors, and finding joy in the simple things. She hopes her readers will find a little nugget of delight, comfort, or understanding in her poetry and stories – some detail that resonates with them beyond her words.

What Amazon says

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.

My Review

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.

You can buy a copy of Ever So Gently here

Metamorphosis

(written September 2024)

No indentations or marks on the skin,
scars on the soul carried within,
hidden under barricades for
protection for fear of attention.
Who would wish to gaze upon lacerations so deep,
born from trauma, made with blades of words.
Does anyone have the courage to peel back the gauze?
Scars on the soul.
Trophies of battles fought behind closed doors, still weeping,
slowly healing,
gathering the broken pieces before
re-emerging as a powerful source of light
that will blind your eyes,
from pain to power, now metamorphosed.

Copyright © 2024 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Thank You

When this journey began in 2020 (at the start of the Pandemic), I never envisaged that 4 years on I would be here.

At that point I was writing merely as a way to stay sane!

Now if someone told not to write it would be as if my right hand had been removed.

In November it will be two 2 years that I joined WP ( time flies).

To each and every one of you who has supported me, from my heart, thank you!

I am truly blessed to be part of such a loving community of like-minded souls.

Immense thanks also to anyone who has bought any of my books, and to those of you who are helping me launch the new collection.

DEEP GRATITUDE TO YOU ALL!

Shapeshifter

(written September 2024)

I am a shapeshifter,
the bee searching for nectar.
Among the flowers, I am a butterfly
that flits and flutters.
Beyond the clouds, I am the rainbow bursting with
colour.
I am a shapeshifter, free to be whatever
I choose to be.
With my words, I collate things which
are dear to me, and
then I reassemble each one with my pen
until they are a perfect fit to become part of me.

Copyright © 2024 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

New Collection of Poetry

I am pleased to announce that my New Collection of Poetry is now available to pre-order (Kindle Version) on Amazon

The Paperback Edition will be released on 7/10

Echoes in the Ether

(written September 2024)

Echoes in the ether, particles of dust,
embers of lines on parchment paper,
we gaze, transfixed at an empty hearth,
hoping the ash will burst into life.
Unable to bid farewell to memories stored in our minds.
Yet, knowing the moment was already lost once the ink had dried.

Copyright © 2024 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Review of Lion Scream by Robbie Cheadle

About Robbie

Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fourteen children’s book and three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.

Robbie and Michael Cheadle have recently launched their new Southern African Safari Adventures series. This series is aimed at teaching young children about the wonders of Southern African wildlife in an engaging and interesting way.

Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews.

What Amazon says

Do you rely on Earth for your survival?

Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.

My Review

To buy a copy of Lion Scream was a no-brainer as I was born in South Africa.
Robbie has done an outstanding job with this book.
I opened it expecting to find only poems within, and
then I was gripped and saddened by what I read.
Lion Scream is indeed a fitting title for this book.
As well as the evocative syllabic poetry, there are photographs, video links and a wealth of information highlighting the plight of wild animals in
South Africa, where numbers
are ever-decreasing due to human greed and existential change threats.
The Tanka poem “Lion Scream” at the beginning of the book sets the tone.
“There is no jungle.
Only acres of smooth stumps.
There is no habitat,
no food source.
Hopeless lion screams tonight”.
The story about the white rhino crying after
being attacked by a poacher broke my heart.
The Nutcracker – A Short Story was an unexpected read at the
end of this book,
a heart breaking read highlighting mental health.
I can’t recommend this book enough if you are passionate about the
planet, its survival and the animals who live on it.

5 Stars for Robbie.

You can buy a copy of Lion Scream here

Resistance

(written September 2024)

Resistance to change bends
the frame of the mundane.
Straining against the weight of constraints,
we still choose “stick” over “twist” whilst clinging to “same” with
every ounce of strength it takes.
Change sometimes requires risk.
Perhaps that is too great a gamble.
To disassemble the frame before
starting again.
So, we stay with what we know best.
And then we deny ourselves.
Some chances never come around again.
Carpe Diem.

Copyright © 2024 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Diamonds

(written September 2024)

A waterfall of tears that once escaped from eyes,
rivulets of pain, fabricated into rain.
To be extracted from the sky to make
some good from a sorrowful plight.
Diamonds that light up the sky, stars shining a beacon,
a symbol of hope.
Within darkness, there is still strength.
Without suffering those jewels of wisdom, we will
never find.

Copyright © 2024 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved