AUTHOR STATEMENT:
My poetry looks to positively explore human potential, with an emphasis on love, spiritual growth and self awareness. It is very important to me that my work remains as open, accessible and as simply expressed as possible. My influences vary from the great traditional English visionary romantics through to the distillation of thought and leanness of expression offered by the Japanese haiku tradition, the shining examples of Rilke and Gibran – as well as (being a fully committed free verse poet…) the later technical breakthroughs achieved by leading Scottish concrete poets Ian Hamilton Finlay and Edwin Morgan.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
“To write and sell poetry at a profit these days is a minor victory and a major achievement. Scott’s words gently unlock and force you to face and look at the world with a little more optimism. There are moments of deep joy and others, which take your breath away with simple incredible honesty”
G. White
“Scott Hastie’s verse is sympathetic, humanistic and positively affirmative. Accessibility is the touchstone of all Hastie’s output. The spiritual element in his writing is clear.”
G.E. Jones
“Scott writes meditative, reflective poetry that is steeped in the traditions of English verse. Concise and richly evocative, he should be widely read.”
R. Godwin
“Via an invisible gilded chain of perception, Scott Hastie generously leads us through an enthusiastic re-invention of the possibilities of new experience. His inspired words bestride the world with such ease, touching the deepest sensibilities of human beings everywhere.”
Sahar Tavakoli
YOUR COMMENTS
Gayle Walters Rose on New Poem – The Spark…
A spark can take us in many directions. I love your second verse that speaks of beginning life and your last stanza is just beautiful!
Mary Dahl on New Poem – The Spark …
Inspiring, Scott, as always. Thank you.
Rob Kistner on New Poem – The Spark…
Scott, this bursts forth with energy truth — with the essence of birth and life. Just beautiful my friend.
The spark
In a void,
Once only a shell.
A curl,
A husk of life,
A chrysalis
Waiting to burst.
This is truly kicks ass with the life force of the poet Gods — loved it my friend!
Bob Mitchell on New Poem – The Spark …
As you already know, I love your poetry – I wish I could write as well as you do! Always good to savour your exquisite writing…
Katy Jiang on New Poem – The Spark…
From soul to soul
awakening and inspiring…
Thanks, Scott,
for sharing such a wonderful poem!
Mahnaz on Joy…
Inspiring!
Mahnaz on New Poem – The Spark…
Remarkable and inducive, dear Scott! Thanks!
Mrityunjay Dixit (Jay) on New Poem – The Spark …
Touching and meditative piece.
msjadeli on New Poem – The Spark…
A wonderful turn of phrase:
“A morning look
That welcomes
Warmth,”
How could a day go wrong with a start like that?
Jeffrey Bennett on New Poem – The Spark …
The deepest image for me here is the exchange of water, clear for salt, at the end. In the beginning of the poem, water is contained in the chrysalis. It lies side by side with life, nestled next to one another, sharing warmth, exchanging messages. Everyone’s messages are collective, ancient then. It seems as though we do observe the sparkle of life, two forces throwing sparks, between the cracks.
Thanks for sharing this insightful poem.
Laura Laveglia on New Poem – The Spark…
Feelings of a child!! So pure so innocent
I never want to grow up!!!
Ken Gierke on New Poem – The Spark …
Birth or rebirth, the captures that moment when even a simple seed…
“the sparkle
Of our dreams
Caught threadbare,
Between the cracks.”
…can give rise to something greater than all of us.
John Rachel on New Poem – The Spark…
“The sparkle
Of our dreams
Caught threadbare,
Between the cracks.”
From a spark in a void to the sparkle of our dreams. What a brilliant evolution! Yet, bittersweet. Because that is the structure of reality, and we live as we must.
Another excellent piece by a genius with the language.
A.H. Starlingsson on New Poem – The Spark …
The verse takes us in the direction we want it to go, and you left it just open enough to do do, that spark, yes, however…the last stanza just stunned, absolutely stunned..
Brendan on New Poem – The Spark…
Hey Scott — the infinitesimal that leaps between I and Thou dances and entrances here. You catch in in a nonverbal space with poetry.
Jim Feeney on New Poem – The Spark …
“a rinsing bowl of tears”…..excellent, a wise and meditative poem.
Dee Ashby on New Poem – The Spark…
This certainly tugged on the heart strings. It awakens the truths of
both the pains and pleasures of life.
Merrill D. Smith on New Poem – The Spark …
I like how the spark moves through time and space, finally becoming the sparkle of our dreams. . .even if they vanish, too.
Punam on New Poem – The Spark…
A very meditative verse coming full circle.
Glenn Buttkus on New Poem – The Spark …
A subtle through line, illustrating how in the end all things merge, and return to the original spark.
Ingrid on New Poem – The Spark…
Wonderfully crafted, Scott: may our dreams continue to sparkle through dark times!
Bjorn Rudberg on New Poem – The Spark …
There is wisdom in this… that spark that makes us human, giving even in a bowl of tears. The greatest gift is sometimes to accept what is given.
Jaya Avendel on Joy…
Such simple and relatable thought!
Bonnie Toomey on New Poem – The Spark …
These works are a salve of calm in this chaotic and hurt world. Truth is paramount.
Aria Ligi on New Poem – The Spark…
This is a lovely poignant piece that reaches its height in the last two paragraphs
“Giving back
Gloriously
At our own expense
Into a rinsing bowl
Of tears.
The sparkle
Of our dreams
Caught threadbare,
Between the cracks.”
then leaves the reader pondering.
William Bain on New Poem – The Spark …
From spark to sparkle….. I love the way this moves from cosmic nature through human frailty and on to a kind of open understanding. Nicely crafted!
Tapan Kumar Ghosh on New Poem – The Spark …
Excellent…
Sasho Ognenovski on New Poem – The Spark…
Thank you for your brilliant latest poem. I’ll translate it and include
it in our new e-magazine
Barbara Kasey Smith on New Poem – The Spark …
Scott, your writings always introduce creative images that burst the awesome imaginations of this reader, fulfilling the empty spaces the reader desires.
Chrissa Sandlin on New Poem – The Spark…
Glorious! This left a smile on my face.
Gillena on New Poem – The Spark …
Coming alive in a new day is a gratitude even though thefe is the sadness of your “rinsing bowl of tears”
Congratulations on this new poem
Muchlove
Maureen Scanlon on New Poem – The Spark…
Dear Scott,
Your words paint a beautiful picture. I really like your poetry, have a wonderful day.
Frances Etheridge on New Poem – The Spark …
“The Spark”, while progressing meditatively, is suddenly, abruptly, changing from seed breaking the ground to “And yes, We all leave Such stains,” etc. and I wonder is there something missing between “To leave its mark” and “And yes, We all leave Such stains”?
Scott says:
Many Thanks for your thoughtful response Francis – much appreciated – always good to have some critical feedback. I myself tend to think that the ‘swelling mound’ stanza helps fill the gap you are speaking to here. Though I will continue to mull on the point you make here…
Sunaina Sindhwani on Joy…
Loved your words here. So true is this…
Sunaina Sindhwan on New Poem – The Spark …
It’s phenomenal.
Congratulations Scott .Everytime you surprise us with a wonderful poem .
Keep shining ✨️
Sayed Rohani on New Poem – The Spark…
I think nothing can explain it better than your own words here: “bowl of tears,” and “the spark of our dreams caught threadbare.”
Don MacIver on New Poem – Life is…
Scott, in reading the foregoing, I find myself breathless in the profound message of light and living that you forge through every single written work. These are the most tangible of written expressions stripped of any gloss in the confluence of light and ethereal being. One cannot but marvel at the potential derivatives spawned from such light.
I/we are gifted to have embraced your written expression for all these years and any and all life remaining. I am humbled by your presence, your friendship, and your exquisite ability to do as you seek with your words; bringing each word, phrase and ingratiating line in verse from its inception to your/our final discovery.
You are touched by divine grace that was indeed truly meant to possess your heart and soul and in turn, touch our own life experience in ways never imagined possible. Light, your light, is a truly powerful transference of energy and enlightenment that serves the most humble essence and core of life, our lives, in an undeniably altruistic manner.
Godspeed.
Jaya Avendel on New Poem – Life is…
I came into this thinking it might be too long, but each word is so necessary and contributes its whole to the overall image in a powerful and beautifully poetic way!
Sahar Tavakoli on New Poem – Life is…
I am always inspired by what you do with words and how you create beauty and hope in your works. Unfortunately, I encountered hard times with this Covid disease but hopefully, everything is fine now. Sometimes it is even hard to think about the future and have plans as everything is affected by this virus but still, as an artist, I feel to have a mission and I get the power to go on.
I am so happy to read your poems and I always heave a sigh of remedy after reading your lines. I am so proud of you and I am so happy to have you as my unseen friend.
May you always be happy and in peace.
Love,
Sahar
Yvonne T. Osbourne on New Poem – Life is…
I love “nourishment so rich you could run a knife through it” One such splash of life is worth all the injury and despair.
Sara McNulty on New Poem – Life is…
“A sacred hamper
Of hope then,
For far tougher days
Ahead,”
Accepting darkness and light is life itself. Beautiful poem, Scott!
Rommy on New Poem – Life is…
If only more of us could get out of our own way on the path back home.
Magical Mystical Teacher on New Poem – Life is…
The way back home is sometimes long, but we will get there with persistence…and love!
Rajani on New Poem – Life is…
The closing lines hit home.. ! We do need guiding hands that will help us find our way back home…
Rosemary Nissen-Wade on New Poem – Life is…
Here’s hoping we all start listening well enough to Nature to follow Her direction!
Helen L. Dehner on New Poem – Life is…
Reading your words of encouragement, positivity, wisdom .. a great way to begin my day. Cheers.
Phillip A. Woodruff on New Poem – Life is…
“Feeble creatures
As we are,
Somehow mysteriously
Never quite able
To see round the corner.”
that’s a fairly true statement. enjoyed this very much
Maxim Chernikov on New Poem – Life is…
I just had a lot of problems, and I’m still trying to get out from under it. But your poem is just a wonderful illustration of this! As always, easy, simple and sincere.
I’ve always liked your poems, I wrote to you about this. Despite the fact that I am a loyal fan and supporter of rhyme, your poetry is a pleasant and joyful exception for me! Although the sound-structural aspect that rhyme gives is very important to me. A special musical language, which is perfectly felt in alliteration. But I am very pleased with what you have shared. I got a lot of pleasure from it. Heartfelt thanks! Everything is the same for me. I live only by poetry, creativity, inspiration. Thank God for a sense of humour, but every time it gets blacker and blacker!
Well, I will continue my existence according to your recipe in your poem: “Life is suffering speckled with joy …”
I shake your hand firmly, With Best Wishes!
JT Smith on the Indelible Presence…
Even the most simplest of terms can leave so much vibrancy and depth like those colours, endless and without abandonment.
JT Smith on New Poem – Life is…
I think Nature is always constant, the birth death and resurrection of its forms. as human beings we rarely learn from our grievances. we continue to plunder our hope and dirge away. i do believe we can co-exist with a new flame of interconnectivity. Thanks Scott. these lines are a healing balm for our kindred soul.
Robert Ray on New Poem – Life is…
Life is – a struggle and is meant to be but also a sunset in an evening at sea.
Good stuff, Scott, I liked your poem a lot. All the best.
Don MacIver on the Indelible Presence…
Hope is richly consistent in your words, dear friend, without which, what would we have, possess, embrace about life? It is the potential renewal of all aspects of life that keeps us focused, determined and optimistic about our future, near and distant. Nature holds so many astounding reminders of its own renewal and perhaps we can draw from those life lessons for essential markers of renewal deep within our own spirit and being. Thank you for this, Scott.
Don MacIver on New Poem – Life is…
Your words afford us renewed perspective in the most profound ways, Scott. Your opening ten lines truly inspire and gift us hope and promise. These words are important in such challenging times as we have struggled to endure the pandemic, both local and globally. I have seen so many people truly on the edge, walking a tightrope of anxiety and fear, anger, disbelief and highly negative response to much of life.
Blessings may seem so few and far between as the mind succumbs to blindsight and obsessing over the dark side. I liken this to unintentional self-harming. Thank you for always embracing the goodness in life and the optimism that we shall overcome adversity. We need this.
Neena Sharma on New Poem – Life is…
Thank You for such a sensitive, insightful poem, Scottie Sir. Indeed, life is Juxtaposed with Joy-Sorrow, Pleasure-Pain, Hope despair…Panic we may not; For Nature has its own way of unfolding the serendepity of Events, just in the nick of time. In the Moments of despair, there is always a Ray of hope.
So, live life to the hilt.
Loved the Last verse, making the poem end on a positive note…
“Nature has its own acumen,
Its own steady intent
And will show us
The way back home,
If we allow it to.”
Bjorn Rudberg on New Poem – Life is…
You tell wise words and it is important to remember that life is full of both brightness and darkness… But it takes insight to see it and reflect back.
Sunaina Sindhwani von New Poem – Life is…
A wonderful inspirational and emotional at the same time .I was actually waiting for it Scott.
Happy New Year.
Daniella on New Poem – Life is…
I connected personally with this…
Lillian on New Poem – Life is…
if we allow it….indeed.
Love these lines:
“A nourishment
That’s so rich,
So intense,”
You could run a knife
Through it,
Like a slab of butter.”
This is absolutely visceral!
Merrill D. Smith on New Poem – Life is…
An excellent message here, Scott.
Lee San on New Poem – Life is…
Yes, cherish every new day.
thank you, Scott.
Punam on New Poem – Life is…
Nature sure does that if we listen to it. Beautiful poem.
Suzanne Staveley on New Poem – Life is…
Yes! This realm in which we exist we perceive to be so inconceivably vast and as our experiences here progresses, we digress on their collective impacts on what we have become and what we have left – like a glass half full yet recognize our potential to continue in our journeys of “life” we steer by our collected wisdom in our capacity to “love” matured like the best of wines.
It is wonderous to the extent we perceive or perhaps misperceive how we sense this realm by what we see and how we have been taught to process our senses into perception? At the end of the day it does not matter really when it comes to the joy and appreciation for the beauty of it all.
Our bodies are creatures of the earth of which comes, goes and some day returns as mother nature shows us in the endless cycles of the luminaries.
Very graceful poem Scott in that you manage to say so much with so little.
Jan Marquat on New Poem – Life is…
I’ve just read your new poem and I loved how you ended it. The last paragraph is especially lovely.
Nivedita Yohana on New Poem – Life is…
A beautiful and profound undercurrent of wisdom that rides the waves of existential angst so exquisitely captured!
Benita Kape on New Poem – Life is…
“A sacred hamper
Of hope then,
For far tougher days”
These were one of many lines which stood out for me. Beautiful
Colleen on New Poem – Life is…
What goes around comes around like instant karma. I had to stop at the hamper and think about that
Laura Laveglia on New Poem – Life is…
You never cease to amaze me my friend
When life gives us roses, hold them tight and enjoy their perfume for the scent of happiness does not linger
Life is not meant to be wonderful. It’s is meant for us to learn lessons every day
Enjoy life to its fullest even in the storm of darkness
Thank you for this beautiful message
Marion Horton on New Poem – Life is…
‘a sacred hamper of hope’ – love this image Scott and your poem’s message.
Rob Kistner on New Poem – Life is…
Love your reachin’ high for a great OLN, bravo Scott! ✌❤️
Selma Martin on New Poem – Life is…
Life is this. Your poem put me in a good place. I love life. Thanks for sharing.
Lucy on New Poem – Life is…
Beautifully written!
Mrityunjay Dixit (Jay) on New Poem – Life is…
Very true! Beautiful poem.
Calm Kate on New Poem – Life is…
Much wisdom set in a positive tone, thanks
ma jadeli on New Poem – Life is…
Well-said, Scott. True enough.
Dwight L. Roth on New Poem – Life is…
I liked the nourishment … like a knife in a slab of butter. Great image.
Truedessa on New Poem – Life is…
You write from the heart of wisdom. It is always a pleasure to read your poetry. We are indeed feeble creatures. We def should treasure the blessings when they come.
Brightest Blessings to you!
Brendan on New Poem – Life is…
All we have is the now in this wildly changing time. Thanks for living it well.
Mish on New Poem – Life is…
So wise and insightful, this is. I especially like these lines emphasizing how these moments poking out of the chaos can strengthen us. We need to drink them up!
“A nourishment
That’s so rich,
So intense,
You could run a knife
Through it,
Like a slab of butter.”
Ken Gierke on New Poem – Life is…
These words are encouraging.
If only we would stop subverting nature’s attempts to heal itself.
Ain Starlingsson on New Poem – Life is…
Really very much agree with your premise, at the end about nature.
Ingrid on New Poem – Life is…
‘A nourishment
That’s so rich,
So intense,
You could run a knife
Through it,
Like a slab of butter.’
– You are so right. I love the message of this poem. Nature always finds a way, but sometimes we mess things up by getting in the way of it!
Dr Jelka Parabirsing on New Poem – Life is…
“….if we allow it to.” Indeed, well said, dear Scott!! May we find this courage and wisdom!
Munia Khan on New Poem – Life is…
You spread us the best definition of life, dear Scott. Your insightful positive mind is a real treasure my friend. Thank you so much for this glorious poem.
William Bain on New Poem – Life is…
Yes, my friend, a lot of truths in what you write……
It does seem as if we’re not yet out of the storm,
as you indicate. Hopefully there’s rain forest
enough for us to be able to go on peacefully
and in more comfort (as you also remind us
in this poem’s final lines).
Times are tough and are trying for all of us.
Through the varied moments of fullness and
emptiness your writing comes as a welcome
series of notes of hope.
Stay safe, William
Paul on New Poem – Life is…
Thank you for the blessing Scott, and the peep around the corner. Nature has found it’s acumen in you.
John Rachel on New Poem – Life is…
Yet surely
We’ve all lived
Long enough
To know
There’s no such thing
As mere coincidence.
This may be the cruelest irony. That there may be “intention” or “purposefulness” — an equation or a plan — behind travails and torture. But how do I know I can trust this taskmaster Fate? Maybe Nature is simply a sadist, not a teacher at all. Granted, it surely is more comforting to make a leap of faith. The biggest challenge for me personally is dealing with indifference. Why am I not mentioned once in the Unified Field Theory? Why has the God particle not intervened and made my books bestsellers? Do you think I’ve lost perspective? (My friends always say they can never tell if I’m joking or not. It’s obvious to me: Maybe yes. Maybe no.)
Excellent poem, by the way. It will get me through another day. What about the day after tomorrow, though?
Laura Bailey on New Poem – Life is…
Dear Scott,
Thank you so much for sharing this excellent and most insightful poem !
Wishing a great 2022 for you !!
Terry Stolz on New Poem – Life is…
Thanks for sharing. Your words embrace the reader and give them a moment of solitude.
Margaret Nash on New Poem – Life is…
Lovely poem. Really captures a mood. Love it.
Ron Ames on New Poem – Life is…
Bravo Scott, Great poem. Thanx so much my friend
Michell Melon on New Poem – Life is…
Thanks for sharing your latest work. I particularly love “a sacred hamper of hope.” I will keep that phrase top of mind in tough times.
Denyce Ashby on New Poem – Life is…
Once again my friend, you’ve managed to piece together the very act of life through words.
Happy New Year Scott.
John Lysaght on New Poem – Life is…
Beautiful juxtaposition of good and bad, light and dark. Life, froth with
obstacles and achievements, is a blessing to be absorbed and appreciated.
Learning from the persistence and adaptability of Nature will serve us well
on our journey.
Shari Roberts on New Poem – Life is…
That is life. So eloquently said, dear Scott. Keep on shining your bright light. A beautiful way to start the new year. Wishing you and your family the best year yet.
Adda Davis on New Poem – Life is…
A beautiful, meaningful description of life in optimistic terms. Thanks for sharing.
Aria Ligi on New Poem – Life is…
Once again, this lovely poem talks about the coevals of life, the yin, and yang of joy and despair. For me, though, I think the aptest line is:
“Feeble creatures
As we are,
Somehow mysteriously
Never quite able
To see round the corner.”
Because most humans do not ’round the corner’ never evincing or even trying to, how their actions can or did affect others, which is a sad testament to the ability of humanity to learn the lessons needed for the soul’s progression.
Mahnaz Mohafez on New Poem – Life is…
Life is the four seasons of light, intuition, felicity and energy. Let’s celebrate it to the full.
What an amazing start, dear Scott! Thanks for the first beautiful poem of 2022.
While poetry is generally designed to connect us with beauty and emotion, Scott’s work goes beyond that in an important way: it gives readers the feeling that the teller himself is as lovely as the content, and elevates us to a sense that we are privileged to see things through his eyes. As his work gains a wider and wider audience, this phenomenon will become more fully recognized, but perhaps never fully explained.
Your poetry is simply beautiful, energetic, full of wit
and exuberant vitality.