"THOUGHTS" by Joanne Boyle

"THOUGHTS" by Joanne Boyle

She was often seen playing,

humming the same old tune.

On a sandy shore,

every single afternoon.

No one knew what she hummed.

Or what it was she played,

and no matter what the weather

still, she always stayed.

She wore a crown of flowers.

They sat upon her head.

Many passers by would stop,

but nothing was ever said.

They had all heard the story.

People travelled from afar,

but what no one else could see

was the memories in each star.

She played with them accordingly

She never went away.

She was in someone's thoughts

every single day.

The tune that she was humming,

helped their hearts to beat.

In the remembrance of her dance

that brought them to their feet.

The flowers were her halo,

and they never ever died.

They were watered every day

with all the tears that are cried.

The memories would change,

but the stars remained the same.

Sometimes they shone so brightly

before they dimmed again.

She was happy in her world.

A one where she never left.

Living in the hearts,

of those she left bereft.

Author Joanne Boyle ~ Heartfelt

Art ~ Steffi Krenzek

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"THE WATCH STRAP AND THE COMB"

"THE WATCH STRAP AND THE COMB"
(author unknown)

Once upon a time, there was a humble man who lived with his beloved wife. Though their means were modest, their love for each other was boundless.

One day, the wife, with her beautiful long hair, gently asked her husband if he could buy her a comb. She longed for a simple gift that would help her hair grow even more lovely and keep it neatly groomed.

With a heavy heart, the man regretfully declined, explaining that he didn’t even have enough money to repair the broken strap on his watch. Though disappointed, the wife didn’t press her request any further.

Determined to bring a smile to her face, the man went to work and, on his way, passed by a watch shop. He made a heartfelt decision to sell his broken watch at a fraction of its worth. With the small amount of money he received, he bought a beautiful comb for his wife.

When he returned home that evening, he eagerly presented the comb to his wife, only to find her with a new, short haircut. In her hands was a shiny new watch band.

They looked at each other, and tears of joy streamed down their faces—not because of the sacrifices they had made, but because of the profound love they shared. In that moment, they understood the true essence of their devotion.

MORAL: Loving someone is beautiful, being loved is wonderful, but loving and being loved by the one you cherish is everything. Never take love for granted.

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"I WAS NEVER EVER BORED"

"I WAS NEVER EVER BORED"
(author unknown)

"I grew up living in state housing and never once questioned my parents income, it was never a discussion.

We didn’t eat a lot of take away because it was considered a treat, not a food group.

We ate homemade meals consisting of meat, potatoes and vegetables - (which were not an optional choice). No vegetables, no sweets!!!

We grew up during a time when we mowed lawns, pulled weeds, babysat, washed the car, stacked firewood, hung the washing, helped neighbours with chores to be able to earn pocket money.

We by no means were given everything we wanted.

We went outside a lot to play, kick the footy, play cricket, hop scotch, ride bikes, run with friends, play hide and seek, climb trees, looked for frogs and tadpoles, or went swimming.

We rarely just sat inside.

Bottled water was unheard of.

If we had a coke, it was in a glass bottle and we didn’t break the bottle when finished.

We saved it and cashed it back in at the shops for a bag of lollies.

After school, we came home and did homework and chores, before going outside or having friends over.

We would ride our bikes for hours.

We had to tell our parents where we were going, who we were going with and be home when the street lights came on!

You LEARNED from your parents instead of disrespecting them and treating them as if they knew absolutely nothing.

What they said was LAW and you did not question it and you had better know it!

We watched what we said around our elders because we knew if we were rude or ill-mannered to any grown-up, we would get a real telling off, it wasn’t called abuse, it was called discipline!

We held doors, carried the shopping and gave up our seat for an older person without being asked.

You didn’t hear swear words on the radio in songs or TV.

“Please and Thank you”, were part of our daily vocabulary!

And we were never ever ever ever bored.

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"IN MY SHOES" by Becky Hemsley

"IN MY SHOES"
by Becky Hemsley

“If I were in your shoes,” you say

“I wouldn’t feel a thing

Because those shoes look comfortable

And easy to walk in”

“If I were in your shoes,” you say

“I wouldn’t walk as far

I’d work smarter not harder

And I’d still be where you are”

“If I were in your shoes,” you say

“Then I would not complain

We don’t get anywhere in life

Without a little pain”

But you’re not in my shoes

‘Cause if you were you’d realise

It’s not about the shoes as much

As how they feel inside

You see, for years I did not have

Such easy, comfy shoes

And working hard to just get by

Was all that I could do

So go ahead, climb mountains

With nothing on your feet

Run along through mud

Without a thing to keep you clean

Wade across the river

With no boots to keep you dry

Bare your soles and let them burn

As you run through the fire

And when your toes are bleeding,

When your heels are black and blue

When your soles are weary,

Red and raw and swollen too

Yes, when your feet are blistered

And they’re caked in blood and dirt

Then walk a mile in my shoes

And tell me they don’t hurt

******

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Artwork by Cherezoff Photography/Art

'In My Shoes' is from What the Wild Replied

https://a.co/d/2Ssqxeq

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"OKAY" by Becky Hemsley

"OKAY"
by Becky Hemsley

Sometimes it takes nothing

And sometimes a little more

Sometimes just the smallest step

Will get you out the door

Sometimes it takes only

Just the tiniest breath in

Sometimes just a pause

And you are able to begin

But sometimes just that little step

Feels like a giant leap

And where that leap will take you

Feels too dizzying and steep

Sometimes that small breath

Feels like it’s trapped inside your throat

As if you’re underwater

And you cannot stay afloat

Sometimes when you pause

It’s like you’re rooted to the spot

Tied up in disquiet

With your stomach in a knot

Sometimes it takes nothing

And sometimes a little more

Sometimes life feels harder

Than the way it felt before

Yes, sometimes it takes all your strength

To go about your day

And sometimes it takes everything

To simply be okay

*****

Becky Hemsley 2023

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Stunning artwork by Bettina Baldassari - BettiPigna

"Okay" is from 'Letters from Life' https://a.co/d/5fbxBqB

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"THE OLD NEIGHBOURS"

"THE OLD NEIGHBOURS"
(author unknown)

A young couple had elderly neighbours they were quite fond of. Every Sunday, they made it a point to visit the older couple, sharing coffee and conversation. During these visits, they noticed something: the elderly lady always brought the coffee jar to her husband to open. It happened every time.

Wanting to be helpful, the young man secretly gifted the old lady a gadget designed to easily open jars, showing her how to use it—without her husband's knowledge. He thought he was making things easier for her.

But on their next visit, much to their surprise, the old lady once again brought the jar to her husband to open! The young couple was puzzled. Had she forgotten about the gadget? Why was she still asking him for help?

When the moment arose for the young couple to speak with her privately, they couldn't resist asking about it. Her response left them speechless.

She smiled and said, "Oh, I can open the jar myself, even without your gadget. But I ask him to open it because it makes him feel strong, like he’s still the man of our home. It reminds him that I still depend on him, and that he’s as useful to me as ever. We’ve shared so many years together, and in the time we have left, togetherness is what truly matters."

Her words carried a deep wisdom.

Moral: Never underestimate the wisdom of the elderly. While our parents or grandparents may no longer contribute financially, their guidance and love are priceless. Even a tree that bears no fruit still offers shade and comfort—so why would you ever cut it down? Caring for the elderly and the sick should always be seen as a blessing.

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"In the Quiet of Absence" by Anne Marie

"In the Quiet of Absence"

by Anne Marie

In the quiet of absence, a silence takes hold,

Where laughter once danced, now a stillness unfolds.

Empty chairs speak volumes, their echoes now still,

A room once so lively, now bound by a chill.

The echoes of footsteps, the warmth of a voice,

Lost in the shadow, the remnants of choice.

Each breath that was shared, now an echo of pain,

In the spaces where memories and silence remain.

A heart once so full now feels hollow and bare,

The weight of their absence, a burden to bear.

Waiting for whispers that never will come,

Living in stillness where love used to hum.

The stone in the chest, heavy and cold,

An ache for the days when their stories were told.

Wondering if time will restore what was lost,

Or if forever we'll carry the silence embossed.

In the quiet of absence, where echoes have flown,

We find ourselves searching for what we had known.

Forever a piece of us will remain incomplete,

In the silence of absence, where past and present meet.

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