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
Margaret Nash on New Poem –In between…
Lovely new poem!
Shari Roberts on New Poem –In between…
Another beautifully poignant poem of truth, warning, and encouragement. I love your poems so much but this may be my favorite! Thank you for blessing us all with this gift!
Keep on keepin on being you!
Punam on New Poem –In between…
This struck a chord with me, Scott.
John Lysaght on New Poem –In between…
An insightful rendering of what we all have experienced as being stuck,
going in circles stepping in place, yet finding trust in ourselves and
in the beauty of being alive
Saideh Pakravan on New Poem –In between…
“Such ardent yearning for fertile valleys never once fulfilled…”
Beautiful, thank you Scott. Wishing you well and continued poetry spirit.
Banu Bikarund on New Poem –In between…
Wonderful soul stirring thoughts to ponder on the time we have been granted here… and thanks to you for creating this miasma for us Scott!
John Rachel on New Poem –In between…
In between
The doors
To the known
And the unknown,
This where we can
Get lost altogether
It’s also where we can find ourselves and one another.
Great poem!
Susan Rouchard on New Poem –In between…
So much given and sometimes taken for granted. Time to navigate those doors and take care of others around us. Nature will always survive tragically wasted lives. Thank you Scott for the reminder, hope and compassion of this carefully crafted poem.
Sanaa Rivzi on New Poem –In between…
This is gorgeous, gorgeous writing Scott!
Bjorn Rudberg on New Poem –In between…
I love the way it leaves me feeling uplifted in spirit, to have that yearning is perfect
Shobana Gomes on New Poem –In between…
Beautiful spring, lovely poem, Scott.
Lee San on New Poem –In between…
Yes, seize the chances while we can, but most times we let that opportunities slip by.
Lovely poem, Scott.
Sunaina Sindhwani on New Poem –In between…
In Between, poem says all.
It is such a heart touching and beautiful one .
Thank you Scott for sharing
Jim on New Poem –In between…
Mind our P’s and Q’s and ENJOY!!
Don MacIver on New Poem –Springtime…
Scott, your words, and visuals are such a welcome refuge and promise for better things yet to come in so many ways! While I share in the message, we just got dumped on by two feet of snow this past week (hahaha!); still, your flavourful connection and spirit were not at all lost in its delivery; something truly to look forward to in the days ahead. The metaphorical essence was not lost on this old poet’s mind or enthusiasm! Blessings.
Don MacIver on New Poem –In between…
Truly moving and inspiring, my wonderful friend! I am always excited and so appreciative of your every new release. Your words here move me to a better place, to aspire to more incredible things, and a clear reminder of how delicate the balance in our lives can be. And, too, Scott, to see your words flow with such continuity and focus is most reassuring. Thank you for all the blessings that your written works bestow upon our conscious beings and aspirations.
Katy Jiang on New Poem –In between…
Keep shining Scottie! Beautiful piece of work
Richard on New Poem –In between…
Scott:
I am pleased to see you use the word “blessing” in this poem.
Each day of life is a blessing. I appreciate your newest work.
~ Richard
Mary Dahl on New Poem –In between…
Beautiful, and full of depth as always, Scott. I am so glad you are back to sharing. This made my day.
Gerri Duval on New Poem –In between…
Beautiful words that really touch our souls. Thank you for sharing . YOU are amazing ~
Mrityunjay Dixit on New Poem –In between…
Oh this is so well written, I liked the analogy of planets circling the sun, you’ve really put serious thought in this poem, it shows in its depth.
Merrill D. Smith on New Poem –In between…
Yes, indeed, we should live life to the fullest as long as we can. Beautifully said, Scott
Magaly Guerrero on New Poem –In between…
I love the idea of a world where we can’t get lost, if we care… I think it would make caring for ourselves, Nature, and others the priority it should be.
William Bain on Springtime…
Very beautiful take on interim spaces–and times… And human smallness in relation.
William Bain on New Poem –In between…
Beautiful observed, very fittingly full of hope!
Gillena Cox on New Poem –In between…
Ah yez. Seize the day we should.
Muchlove
Mahnaz on Springtime…
Awesome!
Mahnaz on New Poem –In between…
Reading this poem,I think,it’s much like an enchanting journey to the heart of secrets where every soul can find everlasting hope.
What a praiseworthy endeavor! Thank you, dear Scott!
Sunaina Sindhwani on New Poem –In between…
In between.. Wow! Everything is in between…
Thank you Scott for sharing a masterpiece ❤️
Marja on New Poem –In between…
Wow inspirational and very beautiful Love it
Rall on New Poem –In between…
A beautiful and positive poem… Lovely to see you posting again…
Hank on New Poem –In between…
The unique and fabulous chances
We’ve been given whilst we still can
Great closing to a wonderful poem Scott! Love it!. It puts a finality to a situational situation in varied instances
Mnargaret Bednar on New Poem –In between…
Yes! Grasp life. Chances are opportunities. LIVE is the lesson here, not just exist.
on New Poem –In between…
Yes! Grasp life. Chances are opportunities. LIVE is the lesson here, not just exist.
Laura Bailey on New Poem –Springtime…
Beautiful thought and photo !
Laura Bailey on New Poem –In between…
Lovely poem with such great Content !
Thank you Scott so very much for sharing the beauty !
Rebecca O’Donnell on New Poem –In between…
You live deep in the heart of all that’s best in Humanity, my friend. What a beautiful poem.
Aria ligi on New Poem –In between…
* In a very Hastian way!
Aria Ligi on New Poem –In between…
This poem has an almost circular quality in that it bookends itself, with its haunting quality in the beginning, almost admonishing, and then at the end reminding the reader that they can still make amends.
“And for that blessing
Alone,
We must always
Be looking to take
The unique
And fabulous chances
We’ve been given
Whilst we still can.”
There is still hope at the end, which lifts the piece delicately and very Hastian way.
Penelope Notes on New Poem –In between…
I like the soulful note of this piece. Between the known and unknown is where we sit at this very moment in space/time it seems.
Rajani on New Poem –In between…
Whilst we still can… how true that rings!! Somehow between known and unknown we pretend there is a forever.
Laura Bloomsbury on New Poem –In between…
Life itself is a unique and fabulous chance, isn’t it?
Laura Bloomsbury on New Poem –In between…
Love the philosophical voice of the poem – mixing yearning with learning. The pairing of doleful with majesty really struck a chord – A stanza to digest at leisure…
Brendan on New Poem –In between…
Death lets our miasmas be, but we can lift and unfold while there are still words to write it!
Colleen on New Poem –In between…
I’m inspired to take some of those chances!
Tricia Sankey on New Poem –In between…
Great message, and penned so eloquently!
Truedessa on New Poem –In between…
In between those doors can be a tricky place to reside. The positive message at the end reaffirms the need to enjoy life and the gifts it offers.
Grace on New Poem –In between…
Thank you Scott. Love the last stanza which speaks of gratitude for the many blessings while we still can.
Lillian on New Poem on New Poem – In Between…
A beautiful poem. So very glad you posted it to dVerse and especially for our Open Link Night in memoriam of Glenn Buttkus. He was one man who took advantage of all the chances given him….and in his career path, chose special education working with the blind. His was a powerful voice – he would like this poem very much.
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.