THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Wednesday 15 November 2023

SOME BODY by Becky Hemsley

"SOME BODY"
by Becky Hemsley 2022

I’ve teeth that stick out just a little too far

I’ve marks on my body where I’ve gathered scars

I’ve parts of my person that wobble and shake

I’ve imperfect skin on my imperfect face

My hair’s hard to manage - it’s coarse and it’s thick

I’ve stripes on my waist, on my belly and hips

I’ve lines on my forehead and some round my eyes

I’ve dimples and dents that now live on my thighs

And I used to hide, I got used to concealing

I knew all my angles and how I should breathe in

But all of the scars are the times I’ve derailed

And got back on track and lived, telling the tale

The lines on my forehead and those round my eyes

Tell the stories of times that I’ve laughed ‘til I cried

And all of the inches and stripes on my hips

Are from carrying, growing and birthing my kids

My dimply thighs that all wobble and shake

Are the times I’ve said yes to the chocolate and cake

The times I’ve decided a moment means more

Than hiding and shrinking like I’ve done before

See I’m happy and healthy and that is what matters

Not whether I’m scarred for I’m thinner or fatter

‘Cause life is a rollercoaster to ride on

It’s here for us all to enjoy not to hide from

It isn’t a dress size or holiday snap

But moments in time that we’ll never get back

So let’s not spend moments that we can’t replace

Concerned with our bodies, our hair and our face

And let us embrace all the life that we’ve lived

Our bodies are breathing - and that is a gift

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022

Gorgeous artwork by Anja Andresen Waage My Art Journal

'Some Body' is from What the Wild Replied https://a.co/d/fw5laoL

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GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn (Summary and Review)

"GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn"
Summary and Review

"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn is a psychological thriller that follows the mysterious disappearance of Amy Dunne on her fifth wedding anniversary. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of Amy and her husband Nick, revealing a complex and twisted relationship.

Summary:

Nick becomes the prime suspect in Amy's disappearance, and as the investigation unfolds, secrets about their marriage surface. Amy's diary entries provide insight into her perspective, while Nick's side of the story raises questions about his innocence. The plot takes unexpected turns, leading to a shocking revelation about Amy's calculated plan to frame Nick.

Review:

"Gone Girl" is praised for its gripping plot, unreliable narrators, and psychological depth. Flynn skilfully explores the dark facets of marriage, deception, and societal expectations. The narrative structure keeps readers on edge, and the characters' flaws add complexity to the story.

The book delves into themes of media scrutiny, manipulation, and the consequences of societal pressures on relationships. The characters are multi-dimensional, making it difficult to sympathize with any one perspective entirely.

Some critics argue that the ending may be divisive, but it aligns with the dark and unpredictable tone of the novel. Flynn's writing is sharp, and the narrative's twists and turns make "Gone Girl" a compelling and thought-provoking read, offering a chilling exploration of human nature and the complexities of modern relationships.

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SOLITUDE by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

"SOLITUDE”

by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone;

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,

But has trouble enough of its own.

Sing, and the hills will answer;

Sigh, it is lost on the air;

The echoes bound to a joyful sound,

But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;

Grieve, and they turn and go;

They want full measure of all your pleasure,

But they do not need your woe.

Be glad, and your friends are many;

Be sad, and you lose them all,—

There are none to decline your nectared wine,

But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;

Fast, and the world goes by.

Succeed and give, and it helps you live,

But no man can help you die.

There is room in the halls of pleasure

For a large and lordly train,

But one by one we must all file on

Through the narrow aisles of pain.

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Don’t let time steal your dreams by Pepper Mark

"Don’t let time steal your dreams" by Pepper Mark

Funny to think that sometimes I’ve been day dreaming.

Putting myself on a scenario where the best sunrise and sunsets with the people i loved would be so much perfect and probably be one of the best moments of my life.

Sometimes i think of doing the things i love, —Like watching movies, eating my favourite foods, catching up with my friends, and looking back the best moments of my childhood.

Often times i thought of having coffee with the best people in the world or even thinking myself to have a lot of money.

—But here’s the thing. We all living up those memories and we cannot turn back time. However, by changing our mindset positively to become driven of all the passions that we have in life I’m sure those memories will once again become a reality.

Time has taught me to enjoy the things as much as we can and learn to treasure them like a true jewel. Time is the ultimate teller and a reminder that whatever problems or difficulties comes in your way we must not let go of our dreams, —Dreams that will draw your future, dreams that will become a reality.

Don’t let time steal your dreams, don’t let time fill up those regrets. Be progressive and make the best of out those dreams, because once you aced every dreams you have? Time will let those memories that soon will become your good legacy.

—Pepper Mark

Illustration Art by. Felicia Chiao

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Tuesday 14 November 2023

IF THEY HURT YOU, FORGIVE THEM

"IF THEY HURT YOU, FORGIVE THEM"
(author unknown)

My father once said,

"If they hurt you, forgive them, but, don't ever forget what they have done to you".

And it has always been a reminder to me every time I meet someone and know them. But sometimes, it gets tiring. It's frustrating when you show them kindness but only get pain in return. It's sad when you admire them for who they are, but they're busy backstabbing you.

So one time, I asked my father,

"Father, do they deserve my forgiveness?"

He smiled and closed the newspaper he was reading. It has been part of his morning routine-- checking the mail box for something to read.

"Child, everyone deserves to be forgiven. If they did it once, they deserve it. If they did it twice, give them another chance. But, if they did it thrice, then that forgiveness and chance shall be given to yourself".

I had a huge invisible question mark on my face and my eyes screamed confusion. My father noticed it and laughed at me. He then gave me a candy and clasped both of my hands.

"Forgive yourself for believing in them only to get disappointed. Forgive yourself for trusting too much. Forgive yourself for risking another chance for you thought it's for the better. And honey, give yourself a chance to be free. Free from hatred and revenge, and, freedom from your past".

The next morning, I saw him in front of my mother, crying. He was betrayed by his friend of ten years. And when I asked him if he now hates his buddy, he only smiled and shook his head.

"My heart don't have a space for hatred. I don't deserve to suffer from it. I have forgiven him, but, it doesn't mean I have forgotten what he did. So the next time he will see me smiling despite of what had happened, he will know by then who suffered more between us two".

Wiping his tears with his favourite handkerchief, which I gave to him as a birthday present, he added,

"You know what's the best thing to give to someone who hurt you? It's for them to see you living a better life after what they did to you. Honey, we only live once, so you don't need to waste time for people who once left a scar in your heart. Let them see what they have lost. Let them know how they helped you in a good way"

And there I realized, if it wasn't for his words, I guess until now, I am still haunted by things that weren't my fault at all.

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The Mystery of the Whispering Woods by English With Mia

"The Mystery of the Whispering Woods"

by English With Mia

Once upon a time in a little village, there was a curious girl named Lily. Lily loved exploring, and her favourite place was the Whispering Woods just beyond the village.

One sunny day, Lily packed a small picnic and set off on an adventure. The trees in the Whispering Woods were tall and wise, and they seemed to whisper secrets to those who listened closely.

As Lily strolled deeper into the woods, she noticed something unusual. The leaves on the trees were rustling in a strange pattern, like a secret code. Lily felt a tingling excitement in her bones – there was a mystery afoot!

She followed the mysterious rustling, and it led her to a hidden clearing. In the centre of the clearing stood an ancient tree with a door carved into its trunk. Lily couldn't believe her eyes! She hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened the door.

To her surprise, the door led to a magical world inside the tree. The inhabitants were tiny creatures called Whisps, and they were the ones creating the mysterious rustling with their tiny wings.

The Whisps were kind and friendly. They explained to Lily that they needed her help. The magic of the Whispering Woods was fading, and they didn't know why. Lily, being the brave and curious girl she was, agreed to help.

The Whisps guided Lily to a magical pool at the heart of the woods. The pool reflected the dreams and hopes of the creatures in the forest, and lately, it had been murky and dull.

With a twinkle in her eye, Lily dipped her hands into the pool. She closed her eyes and whispered her dreams of a world filled with kindness, laughter, and endless adventures. As she did, the water sparkled and shone brighter than ever before.

The magic returned to the Whispering Woods, and the Whisps danced with joy. Lily had not only solved the mystery but also brought a new wave of enchantment to their home.

Grateful for Lily's kindness, the Whisps gave her a special gift – a tiny silver key that could unlock the door to the Whispering Woods anytime she wished.

With a heart full of joy, Lily said her goodbyes and returned to the village. She knew that she could visit her magical friends in the Whispering Woods whenever she needed a little bit of magic in her life.

And so, the mystery of the Whispering Woods became a tale told in the village, inspiring children to believe in the magic that could be found in the most unexpected places.

https://www.facebook.com/MiaEnglishTeacher

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Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe

Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may know

By the name of Annabel Lee;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea,

But we loved with a love that was more than love—

I and my Annabel Lee—

With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven

Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

My beautiful Annabel Lee;

So that her highborn kinsmen came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre

In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,

Went envying her and me—

Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we—

Of many far wiser than we—

And neither the angels in Heaven above

Nor the demons down under the sea

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride,

In her sepulchre there by the sea—

In her tomb by the sounding sea.

"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe

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ONE SMILE by Richelle E. Goodrich

"ONE SMILE"
by Richelle E. Goodrich

One smile has the power to...

Calm fears.

Soften stone walls.

Warm a cold heart.

Invite a new friend.

Mimic a loving hug.

Beautify the bearer.

Lighten heavy loads.

Promote good deeds.

Brighten a gloomy day.

Comfort a grieving spirit.

Offer hope to the forlorn.

Send a message of caring.

Lift the downtrodden soul.

Patch up invisible wounds.

Weaken the hold of misery.

Act as medicine for suffering.

Attract the companionship of angels.

Fulfil the human need for recognition.

Who knew changing the world would prove so simple?

~ Richelle E. Goodrich ~

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Monday 13 November 2023

THE OLD MAN AND HIS DOG

"THE OLD MAN AND HIS DOG"
(author unknown)

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead:

He remembered dying and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.

It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out. "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven sir." The man answered.

"Wow! would you happen to have some water?"

The man asked.

Of course, sir. Come right in and I’ll have some ice water brought right up. The man gestured and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend?" Gesturing toward his dog, ’come in, too." The traveller asked.

"I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me." He called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there’s a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here’ the traveller gestured to the dog?"

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveller filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" The traveller asked.

"This is Heaven." He answered.

"Well, that’s confusing." The traveller said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That’s hell."

"Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we’re just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind’.

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