THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Wednesday 6 December 2023

SHINE by Becky Hemsley

"SHINE"
by Becky Hemsley 2022

Yesterday she told you

She’d been beckoned by the moon

That she was to become a star

And would be leaving soon

And like a supernova

You felt your heart collapse

Knowing that the days ahead

Would soon become her last

But mop up all your tears

And squeeze them out amongst the clouds

Buy her favourite flower seeds

And plant them in the ground

Savour every smile of hers

And send them to the sun

Paint the sky her favourite pink

As day has just begun

Gather all the words she says

And teach the birds her song

So that the world still speaks of her

Even when she’s gone

So when the sun comes up

You’ll know it’s her that’s smiling down

And when it rains you’ll feel her love

Escaping from the clouds

Watch her flowers flourish

And listen to the birds

And hear them sing the echoes

Of her voice and of her words

Look for her in sunrises

In thunderstorms and snow

Because she’s trying to tell you

She’ll be everywhere you go

And when it’s dark, look for the stars

And see the way she shines

And realise, though she’ll leave

She’ll never really say goodbye

Becky Hemsley 2022

Artwork by the brilliant 小油画 / Little Oil Art

'Shine' is from When I Am Gone https://a.co/d/i9oAy2A

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023

HOPE IS by John Roedel

"HOPE IS"
by John Roedel

hope is often

so much quieter

than fear

hope is the whisper

between screams

hope is the nearly inaudible

sound of your tears drying

on the rosebud of your cheek

hope is the hushed wind passing

through a tall Wyoming pine

hope is the noise of you

softly exhaling while

looking for God in the mirror

hope is the sound of stars winking

at us from across the cosmos

hope is the babbling river

hope is the snoring baby

hope is the thumping heartbeat

hope is the lightly

beeping hospital monitor

hope is the sound

of butterfly wings

moving in the spring

hope is the noise ice

makes as it melts on a lake

hope is the gentle scratching of

a flower as it claws its way

out of the earth to sunbathe

hope is never loud

hope is never fussy

hope is never announced

- in fact, you might miss hope’s

arrival if your not listening for it

because

hope is more piano

than it is saxophone

hope is humble

hope is stealthy

hope doesn’t wear a name tag

hope is so so silent

but that’s what

makes hope

powerful

because it can

surprise us at a moments notice

hope is always present

it’s the beat between music's notes

it’s the pucker before the kiss

it’s the deep breath before the eulogy

hope is the quiet voice

that is endlessly begging

us to not surrender to

the crawling shadows

and the voice of hope is always

saying the same thing:

“Hold on, my love, hold on, my love.”

if you give it a moment of silence

you will find that hope is a real

chatter box

it won’t stop talking to you

if you let it get started

hope is everywhere

even in places where

you won’t expect to find it

~it’s in your blood

~ it’s in your wrinkles

~it’s in your grief

hope is relentless

amid the noise of

this clanging world

just listen

I swear,

my love,

if you just listen

to the murmuring hope

that surrounds you

I swear

it’s all you’ll hear

~ and you’ll never give up again

~ John Roedel https://www.facebook.com/johnbigjohn

(Art by the amazing Lauren Bridges)

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

ROAR by Becky Hemsley

"ROAR"
by Becky Hemsley 2020

As children we’re convinced

That monsters hide beneath our beds

But as adults we soon realise

That they walk the streets instead

It’s not their face that’s monstrous

It’s their loathing and their lies

For it isn’t how they look -

The monster’s who they are inside

And at first we tiptoe round them

Terrified to make a noise

But slowly, very surely

We are bound to find our voice

But as fear gives way to anger

And our loathing multiplies

We start becoming monstrous

And we think we’re justified

But flames won’t put out fire

Water will not halt a flood

And we cannot stop the monsters

By behaving as they would

You see, anyone that’s ever

Loved somebody else before

Knows no matter how much hate we feel

Love always matters more

So though you’re brave to fight them

And your courage makes you tough

Don’t fight them out of hate

But to protect the things you love

And when life gets too scary

Promise me you will make sure

That you won’t become a monster

But you’ll still learn how to roar

******

Becky Hemsley 2020

Image created with Dall.E

"Roar" is from Talking to the Wild https://a.co/d/7KhInfX

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

REAL by Becky Hemsley 2023

"REAL"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

I’ve cried when I’m happy

And cried when I’m sad

I’ve smiled through the good times

And smiled through the bad

I’ve screamed in excitement

I’ve screamed out in pain

I’ve gasped at the sunshine

And gasped at the rain

I’ve laughed when I’m nervous

And when I’m elated

I’ve sighed with contentment

And when I’m deflated

I’ve sung when I’m lonely

And sung in a crowd

I’ve shouted when angry

And when I’ve been proud

‘Cause whether we’re up

Or we’re riding a low

Our feelings are desperate

For somewhere to go

We can’t keep them trapped

And locked up in a cage -

They force their way out

‘Cause they need to escape

And sometimes we’re told

That emotions are weakness

That feeling is flawed

If we let it defeat us

But how can this be?

Surely this must be wrong

For what could be weak

About something so strong

That it cannot be silenced

Cannot be tamed

Can’t be kept down

And cannot be contained

So when you next shout

Or you laugh or you cry

You scream or you smile

Or let out a sigh

Whatever the reason

Just let yourself feel

We’re not here to be quiet -

We’re here to be real

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Artwork by @Hayk Shalunts

'Real' is from my newest collection Letters from Life: https://a.co/d/0R2bBGl

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

A TRUE EYE-OPENER! by Nino Razmadze

"A TRUE EYE-OPENER!" by Nino Razmadze

"A friend came to my house for coffee, we sat down and talked about life. After a while I interrupted the conversation and said to him, ′′I'm going to wash the dishes, I'll be right back.”

He looked at me like I told him he was going to build a spaceship. So he said to me with admiration and a little stumped, ′′Glad you help your wife, I rarely help mine because when I do she never thank me. Last week I washed the floor and she didn't even tell me to thank you.”

I sat back down with him again and explained to him that I don't ′′help′′ my wife. Actually, my wife doesn't need help, she needs a partner, a teammate. I'm her home partner… and due to that, all functions are divided, which is not “help” with household chores.

I don't “help” my wife clean the house because I also live in it and I need to clean it too.

I don't “help” my wife cook, because I also want to eat and I need to cook too.

I don't “help” her washing dishes after eating, because I use these dishes too.

I don't “help” my wife with kids, because they are mine too and I have to be a father.

I don't “help” my wife wash, extend, fold, and put away laundry because it's mine and my kids too.

I don't give a “helping hand” at home, I'm part of it.

Then with respect, I asked my friend when was the last time his wife finished cleaning the house, doing laundry, changing the bedsheets, bathing the kids, cooking, organizing, etc.. and did he say: “thank you?”

I mean a real thank you, like, “Wow, baby!! You're amazing!!"

Does this all seem absurd? Does it sound weird to you? When, once in your life, you cleaned the floor, you expected at least an excellence award with great glory... why? Haven't you ever thought about that?

Maybe, because for you, macho culture taught you that everything is a woman's task.

Maybe you've been taught that all this should be done without you having to move a finger.

So praise her as you would like to be praised, likewise, with the same intensity. Hold her hand and behave like a true companion, and assume your part, don't behave like a guest who simply comes to eat, sleep, shower, and satisfy sexual needs... feel at home, in your home.

Change in our society begins in our homes, teaching our children the true sense of fellowship!"

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

OLD MAN TIMOTHY AND REX

"OLD MAN TIMOTHY AND REX"
(author unknown)

Once upon a time, in the small town of Willowville, lived an extraordinary duo - old man Timothy and his faithful companion, Rex. Now, old man Timothy was no ordinary doctor. He was known throughout the town as the wisest and most caring physician, with a heart as big as the love he had for his patients.

Rex, on the other hand, was no ordinary dog. He was an XL Pitbull with a heart just as large as his size. With his sleek black coat and gentle eyes, Rex had a calming presence that seemed to put everyone at ease. Legend had it that he possessed a magical touch that could heal even the most broken of spirits.

One fateful day, as the sun painted the sky with hues of gold, a local photographer named Emily stumbled upon the doctor's office. Intrigued by the rumours about Rex, she decided to capture their bond in a photograph that would forever etch their story into the town's history.

As Emily entered the dimly lit waiting room, she was greeted by a sight that took her breath away. There, seated amidst a bustling crowd of patients, was Rex himself, his massive frame squeezed into an armchair, patiently observing the room with a wise gaze.

Old man Timothy emerged from his office, his spectacles perched on his nose, and a warm smile spread across his face. "Ah, Miss Emily, welcome to my humble abode," he greeted her, extending a hand in welcome.

Emily marvelled at the peculiar scene before her. Patients of all ages, from the youngest children to the oldest grandmothers, sat contentedly beside Rex, petting him softly as they awaited their turn to see the beloved doctor.

"What brings Rex here, old man Timothy?" Emily inquired, her camera at the ready.

The wise doctor chuckled, his eyes twinkling with delight. "You see, my dear, Rex possesses an extraordinary gift. His presence alone brings comfort and solace to those in need. He has an uncanny ability to sense pain and fear, and his gentle nature soothes even the most troubled souls. So, I thought, why not have him here, by my side, to offer his healing magic to those who seek it?"

Emily was captivated by the doctor's words and began to snap photographs, capturing the essence of their unique companionship. The room filled with laughter and joy as Rex's tail wagged vigorously, spreading happiness like a contagious wave.

Word of old man Timothy and Rex's heart warming bond spread like wildfire throughout Willowville. Patients came from far and wide, not only seeking the doctor's expertise but also the comforting presence of his furry companion.

As years passed, the photograph Emily took that day became an iconic symbol of compassion and healing, reminding the townsfolk of the magic that can be found in the unlikeliest of friendships.

And so, the legend of old man Timothy and Rex, the gentle giant, lived on, inspiring generations to believe in the power of love, kindness, and the extraordinary bond between man and beast.

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