THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday 20 April 2024

THE INVISIBLE CROWN by Tahlia Hunter

"THE INVISIBLE CROWN"
by Tahlia Hunter

“Sometimes you forget who you are.

But then your crown reminds you

of who you have always been

and who you will remain forever.

The invisible crown

that you have worn since birth

that proclaims that there is more to you

than this human experience.

There is nothing that exists outside of yourself

that can make you more lovable

than who you were born as,

as you are whole and complete

and all you wish to ever be or become,

you already are.

That no matter how someone may treat you,

you possess the same worth and perfection as before,

as your value is inherent and priceless.

And every single challenge or obstacle you have encountered

you have made it through,

for nothing can ever defeat you

at the level of your soul.

And so, whatever feelings or opinions

you receive from yourself or others

that do not reflect the truth of who you are

you may release with love.

It is easy in this life

to forget who you are

and where you came from.

And so, each time you glimpse this crown,

may you always remember.

And by wearing your crown with pride,

may you inspire others to see their own crown

and remember the truth of who they are.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

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Artwork by Lucy Campbell

THE CLIMB by Becky Hemsley

"THE CLIMB"
by Becky Hemsley

They say that when you’re broken

This is how the light gets in

But what if all the cracks

Are letting out the light within?

They say it makes you stronger

But at first it makes you weak

The way you face the mountain base

Before you reach the peak

They say to break is brave

And yet your mind is full of dread

You’re not overwhelmed by courage

But by helplessness instead

But admitting you are breaking

Is far braver than you know

And remember, from the bottom

There is just one way to go

See, I think they mean it isn’t just

That breaking makes you strong

But the way you use the embers

Of your will to carry on

It’s triumph over trauma

And it’s healing after hurt

It’s rising from the ashes

With a new-found sense of worth

So find yourself a candle

And allow its tiny spark

To ignite you back to life

And put the fire back in your heart

And grant yourself compassion

For the times that you feel weak

Just rest until you’re strong enough

To get back on your feet

Yes, I know that when you’re broken

You have only threads of hope

But tie them to the mountain

Like your personal safety rope

Then gather at the bottom

With the summit high above

Then take a breath and take a step

The only way is up

******

Becky Hemsley 2021

Beautiful artwork by @ottokim on Instagram

'The Climb' is from my second collection:

https://a.co/d/gzBzdtW

The Mother Watch by Edgar Albert Guest

"The Mother Watch" by Edgar Albert Guest 20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959

She never closed her eyes in sleep till we were all in bed;

On party nights till we came home she often sat and read,

We little thought about it then, when we were young and gay,

How much the mother worried when we children were away.

We only knew she never slept when we were out at night,

And that she waited just to know that we'd come home all right.

Why, sometimes when we'd stayed away till one or two or three,

It seemed to us that mother heard the turning of the key;

For always when we stepped inside she'd call and we'd reply,

But we were all too young back then to understand just why.

Until the last one had returned she always kept a light,

For mother couldn't sleep until she'd kissed us all good night.

She had to know that we were safe before she went to rest;

She seemed to fear the world might harm the ones she loved the best.

And often she said: "When you are grown to women and men,

Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night through; I may be different then."

And so it seemed that night and day we knew a mother's care ---

That always when we got back home we'd find her waiting there.

Then came the night that we were called to gather round her bed:

"The children all are with you now," the kindly doctor said.

And in her eyes there gleamed again the old-time tender light

That told she had been waiting just to know we were all right.

She smiled the old-familiar smile, and prayed to God to keep

Us safe from harm throughout the years, and then she went to sleep.

******** By Edgar Albert Guest

20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959

Image Credit: Mary Benke Fine Art

Via Tipp Town

I WILL CARRY YOU by Joanne Boyle

"I WILL CARRY YOU"
by Joanne Boyle

I will carry you on my shoulders,

put your troubles on my back.

I will show you how to find

all the reasons that you lack.

I shall take you to the moon,

hide you amidst the clouds.

I shall keep your secret safe,

away from all the crowds.

I will show you where the stars live,

I'll even give you one,

I will guide you through the mist,

give you strength to carry on.

I will let you meet the angels,

introduce them all to you.

I shall then send you back,

because life wants you too

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS ISN'T TOO OLD

"SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS ISN'T TOO OLD" (author unknown)

Oak trees are one of the planet's oldest and most widespread trees and a crucial source of raw materials. The live oak (Quercus) is a unique species because it remains green and “live” throughout the winter. Early humans used live oak trees to build homes, create tools, and construct ships. Today, people use live oak wood in furniture, flooring materials, and cosmetic creams.

A mature live oak tree can reach around 148 feet (45 m), whereas a typical oak tree averages 60 feet (18.5 m). The mighty tree’s crown is symmetrical, rounded, and dense. The leaves grow thickly and provide a shady haven. One mature, leafy tree can produce as much oxygen in a season as ten people can inhale in a year. We are thankful for these magnificent trees.

You may see an oak tree and think nothing of it, but your view may change after learning some of its beneficial features. We are amazed that live oaks can live up to 1,000 years. Scientists don’t consider them old until they reach the age of 700. Until that age, they continue to grow and produce acorns to multiply offspring. One live oak produces about ten million acorns during its lifetime. Each acorn contains a seed enclosed in a tough shell. Besides being a seed, the oak’s acorns are a primary food source for many birds, squirrels, mice, rats, deer, pigs, and bears.

The live oak is among the most important species in many forests, woodlands, and other ecosystems. These hardy trees survive even the harshest environmental conditions and provide shelter and food for many organisms. The tannic acid in the tree’s leaves and bark protects it from fungi and insects. The thick main stems store water for use during dry periods. Most live oaks have thick bark to protect them from fire. They are beautiful additions to the ecosystems that God has created.

WALKING WITH GRIEF by Joanne Boyle

"WALKING WITH GRIEF" by Joanne Boyle

Side by side we walked,

together grief and I.

Carrying my life's remains

under a darkened sky.

I asked when it would leave.

If the sun would shine again.

I asked if it would heal,

if it could stop the pain.

Grief took its time to speak.

I often wondered why.

Many times we sat together

and all i did was cry.

Grief never ever left me.

and then one day it said.

"Iam going nowhere,

so learn to live with me instead."

I then befriended grief.

It then began to talk.

I looked forward to its stories,

when side by side we'd walk.

Together we shared memories

that i had locked away.

Grief is now a part of me,

and i accept its here to stay.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

WOMAN

"WOMAN" (author unknown)

When God created woman he was working late on the 6th day.......

An angel came by and asked." Why spend so much time on her"

The lord answered. "Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her"

She must function in all kinds of situations,

She must be able to embrace several kids at the same time,

Have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart,

She must do all this with only two hands,"

She cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a day"

THE ANGEL was impressed" Just two hands.....impossible!

And this is the standard model"

The Angel came closer and touched the woman"

"But you have made her so soft, Lord".

"She is soft", said the Lord,

"But I have made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome"

"Can she think" The Angel asked...

The Lord answered. "Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate"

The Angel touched her cheeks....

"Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her"

"She is not leaking...it is a tear" The Lord corrected the Angel…

"What's it for" Asked the Angel..... .

The Lord said. "Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride."...

This made a big impression on the Angel,

"Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything.

A woman is indeed marvellous"

Lord said. "Indeed she is.

She has strength that amazes a man.

She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.

She holds happiness, love and opinions.

She smiles when she feels like screaming.

She sings when she feels like crying, cries when happy and laughs when afraid.

She fights for what she believes in.

Her love is unconditional.

Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies but she finds strength to get on with life"

The Angel asked: So she is a perfect being..

The Lord replied: No. She has just one drawback

"She often forgets what she is worth".

Facial image above created by free online AI software:
https://this-person-does-not-exist.com/en

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FLOWERS by Joanne Boyle

"FLOWERS" by Joanne Boyle

Don't sit by my grave and say sorry

or place flowers at my place of rest.

Come and join me at my table

when I invite you to be my guest.

Do not tell everyone I was wonderful

when I can no longer hear.

Tell me to my face my friend

because to me it wasn't clear.

Do not shed a tear for me

that is really born from your regrets.

Instead make sure you won't have any,

let us share each others secrets.

Do not stand in a church doorway

and shake the hands of friends,

whilst believing in your heart

that this will make amends.

Do not bring me flowers

unless I can smell how sweet they are.

Bring them when I'm alive

and not watching from afar.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek