THE CORNER 4 WOMEN: December 2023

Sunday, 31 December 2023

TRANSISIONING INTO A NEW YEAR by Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

"TRANSISIONING INTO A NEW YEAR"
by Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

When the clock struck midnight, did we leave the last year behind us, or did in become a purposeful growth into a change that imprinted on our hearts forever.

When we rise in this new day...waking to a year folding into the next. Nothing and yet everything will change. As the time of yesterdays transcend into memories, time breaks into the seconds; we now breathe in our choices. Our choices to be gentle to ourselves and claim ourselves to the commitment of love, to the commitment of kindness, towards ourselves, towards one another.

When the Winter becomes cold and dreary, let our hearts be comforted by the light that cuts through the dim in our lives. We wake, we rise, with a deliberate choice, what will it be?

For the transitioning from one year into the next does not cease the ache of who we are, just as it does not cease the resilience of who we are.

We become like the bird song that sings every morning whether the clouds are grey with melancholy or the sun breaks the dark with brightness.

Just like the seasons that boldly exclaim their presence. In the winter of our folding inwards, we expand outward like the flower's bloom that will come in spring. We will break the ground in the earth of our souls, grow and become who we are meant to be.

Come now, as we are, not with expectations but a conscious choice to realize we are a part of the whole and the whole is one. In our belonging to this new day,

belonging to this new morning,

belonging to this new year....

belonging to each other.

Author Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg ©

https://www.facebook.com/Heartcalling

Artist Catrin Welz Stein

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

THE ABANDONED ASYLUM by English With Mia

"THE ABANDONED ASYLUM"
by English With Mia

In a small town surrounded by lush forests, there stood an old building with a haunting history. It was once a place where people who were unwell in their minds went to seek help. But as years passed, the building fell into disrepair, and it became known as the Abandoned Asylum.

Tommy was a curious boy, always seeking adventures. He had heard eerie stories about the abandoned asylum from the older kids in the neighbourhood. One bright and sunny afternoon, filled with curiosity, Tommy decided to explore the mysterious building.

As he approached the asylum, he noticed broken windows and overgrown vines covering the walls. The rusty gates creaked as he pushed them open, creating an eerie sound that echoed through the empty corridors.

Tommy cautiously stepped inside. The air felt musty, and the light barely trickled in through the dusty windows. He could hear the sound of his own footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness. Every creak and groan made him feel as though the old building was whispering its forgotten stories.

As he explored further, he noticed faded paintings on the walls, remnants of what might have been cheerful decorations long ago. Cobwebs hung from the ceilings, and old furniture lay scattered around, covered in layers of dust.

Tommy's heart raced with both excitement and fear. He had heard tales of ghostly sightings in the asylum. He tiptoed cautiously, trying to shake off the uneasiness.

In one room, he found an old piano covered in a white sheet. With trembling hands, Tommy pulled off the sheet and touched the keys. The piano let out a ghostly sound as if trying to tell its own story.

Suddenly, a faint whisper echoed in the room. Tommy's heart skipped a beat, and he turned around, but there was no one there. He tried to shake off the fear, convincing himself it was just the wind playing tricks.

But then, a door at the end of the corridor creaked open. Tommy's heart raced as he cautiously approached the door. He peeked inside and saw a small room filled with old photographs scattered on the floor.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he picked up one of the photographs. It was a black-and-white picture of a group of smiling people wearing old-fashioned clothes. Tommy wondered who they were and what stories they held.

As he stood there, lost in thoughts, he heard a distant sound—footsteps echoing in the corridor. Fear gripped him, and he quickly dashed out of the abandoned asylum, feeling relieved to be back under the warm sunshine.

Tommy had his adventure, and although he didn't see any ghosts, the mystery of the abandoned asylum stayed with him. He realized that some places hold stories that may never be fully understood, but they spark curiosity and imagination in those who dare to explore them.

https://www.facebook.com/MiaEnglishTeacher

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

EACH STEP OF THE PATH by Tahlia Hunter

"EACH STEP OF THE PATH"
by Tahlia Hunter

“You may think to yourself,

‘I have not travelled that far,

for I still have so far to go,’

but you must remember, my dear,

that progress is not linear,

and each small step you take forward

completely catapults your growth

such that you have already come

far further than you may believe,

and the dreams you wish to achieve

are more possible than you might think,

for the destination you wish to reach

is not a distant place

but a way of being

that is found in each step of the path.

And so, once in a while,

it may be worthwhile

to practice seeing yourself

not through the eyes of all you have yet to be

but all you have already become.”

Words by Tahlia Hunter https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Katarína Vavrová Artist

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

You Were Made for This by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

"You Were Made for This"

by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.

Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely.

It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good. What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing.

We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.

One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.

Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times.

The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire.

To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these -- to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.

Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it.

If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.

There will always be times when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it. I will not entertain it. It is not allowed to eat from my plate

[Image: Die Schöne Philosophin (The Beautiful Philosopher) oil on canvas by German portrait painter Wilhelm Kray (1828-1889).]

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

I WENT BACK TO THE WINDOW by Joanne Boyle

"I WENT BACK TO THE WINDOW"
by Joanne Boyle

I woke up this morning.

they said a new year had begun,

but try telling that to grief,

who is still missing someone.

I looked out of the window,

it was the same view everyday.

A new year couldn't change,

what happened yesterday.

I climbed back in to bed.

I heard voices from outside,

"happy new year" they shouted,

whilst I sat and cried.

Everyday was a beginning,

of the same constant pain,

every minute spent wishing,

that I could see you again.

Time stood still without you,

whilst shadows moved around.

Now and again there was voices,

words without a sound.

I went back to the window,

this time was something new.

I blinked and rubbed my eyes,

and this time I saw you.

We were back to a time of fun,

we were in our happy place,

I rubbed my eyes again,

to wipe my tear stained face.

You looked me in the eye,

it was as if you knew I was there,

and then I heard the music,

and there was dancing everywhere.

I felt my heart start beating,

I hadn't felt it for a while.

I rubbed against the window

and saw my reflection smile.

A moment spent in a vision.

A vision from a time that's past,

A memory relived in my heart,

of a love that will always last.

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

art by steffi krenzek.

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

Thursday, 28 December 2023

I DREW MY NAME by Joanne Boyle

"I DREW MY NAME"
by Joanne Boyle

I drew my name upon your wall,

so you could see me there.

I signed it with my everything,

for all of you to share.

A simple name with meaning,

of hope and future dreams.

A name of faith and things to come,

by knowing what it means.

My name is that of love,

a name given to me at birth,

a name that I still own

even though I'm not on this earth.

I drew my name upon your wall,

in the shape of pencil heart,

so you know that I visit you,

and we are never apart.

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

art by steffi krenzek.

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

WAITING BY THE WINDOW by Becky Hemsley 2023

"WAITING BY THE WINDOW"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

We waited nine months to meet you.

We waited to see you smile, to watch you walk, to hear you talk.

And I'm not sure you realise this but we now wait at the window every day for you to get home.

A home that is filled with all of your things, all of your noise.

But one day we will walk into your bedroom and there won't be clothes all over the floor.

There won't be snacks that you've abandoned in every room and there won't be the noise of some obscure TV show echoing through the house.

Yes, one day our nest will be empty.

Quiet.

Tidy.

You will not need us anymore like you do now.

And that will mean we have done our job.

It will mean we have succeeded

in helping you grow your wings and in teaching you to fly.

And we will enjoy the quiet and the tidiness,

knowing that this is how it is supposed to be.

But we will also miss you. We'll miss the noise and miss the mess that tells us you are here.

So I hope you'll know that you can fly back whenever you want to.

Need to. Wish to.

That you can call us and tell us to put the kettle on

and open the snacks because you'll be here soon.

Because I'm not sure you'll realise this but we'll be here,

waiting to watch you walk through the door with a smile on your face.

Waiting to talk to you about what you've been up to.

Yes, even when you've flown the nest, we will be here.

Always.

Waiting by the window

for you to get home.

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Beautiful image by the incredibly talented AF Anki MalowAnki

'Waiting by the Window' is from 'Letters from Life': https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9MZC1...

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

WAITING AT THE STATION by Joanne Boyle

"WAITING AT THE STATION"
by Joanne Boyle

I'll be waiting at the station,

to see who else is there,

who is boarding with me,

and who's carriage I will share.

I wonder who'll remain seated,

or who will leave their seats.

I feel anxious and excited,

about the new faces I will meet.

I remember those who left,

some family and some friends

they didn't want to leave,

but sometimes the journey ends.

Friends got on and off,

but few remained on the train,

and I knew that when I boarded

they would be there again.

Some just come along for the ride,

but didn't appreciate the view.

Those ones never returned,

but there was no reason too.

Age lost all its meaning,

it was a journey of young and old.

I loved the innocent ears

as they listened to the stories told.

The train will be approaching soon,

and on the 31st of December,

I shall board another year,

on a journey to always remember.

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

art by Steffi Krenzek

Wednesday, 27 December 2023

A CHRISTMAS ANGEL by Joanne Boyle 2023

"A CHRISTMAS ANGEL"
by Joanne Boyle 2023

(When an angel calls)

Thank you for the memories,

that I felt within your heart,

for bringing me back to times,

before we were apart.

Thank you for your voices,

and remembering my name,

for bringing me to the present,

instead of a candles flame.

Thank you for your eyes,

and for visiting familiar places,

for bringing me to your table,

around familiar faces.

Thank you for the gifts,

the ones you gave to me,

that brought me back to life,

to have Christmas with family.

Thank you for letting me go,

back to my home in the sky,

with the most beautiful memory,

that was shared with you and I.

Joanne Boyle (Christmas Angel 2023) https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html