THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday 20 January 2024

SILVER LININGS by Becky Hemsley 2023

"SILVER LININGS"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

When the ocean waves engulf you

And there’s water all around

And when you feel you’re in so deep

You might as well swim down

When the forest’s looming darkly

And you can’t see your way through

When the trees are overbearing

And they’re closing in on you

When every path is dangerous

And treacherous to tread

And you decide to stop

And stay forever lost instead

Well…

I hope the sea is sapphires

That buoy you with their blue

I hope they shine a little

Of their precious light on you

I hope the forest prides itself

On all its emerald leaves

And helps you see your brilliance

Through the darkness of the trees

I hope your paths are gilded

And are lined with golden hues

Where ruby roses grow through grass

That shines with diamond dew

I hope you feel the sunshine

And the warmth that it possesses

I hope you see the way the clouds

Are shining at their edges

‘Cause there’s richness in the darkness,

When you’re lost, beneath the surface

There’s treasure waiting for you

And I promise you it’s worth it

So don’t give up or in

‘Cause pressure builds a precious stone

You’ve everything you need

And you are stronger than you know

So please keep going up and through

Keep walking, swimming, climbing

And keep on searching clouds for silver

Sewn into their linings

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Photo by rawpixel.com

'Silver Linings' is from 'Letters from Life' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9MZC1...

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Wednesday 17 January 2024

Treasure Island by English With Mia

"Treasure Island" by English With Mia

Once upon a time, in a small coastal village, there lived two best friends named Timmy and Jake. They loved exploring the beach, looking for seashells, and building sandcastles. But their favourite thing to do was imagining that the small, rocky island just off the shore held hidden treasures.

One sunny day, as they were playing near the water's edge, Timmy pointed to the island and said, "Jake, do you think there might be real treasures on that island?"

Jake's eyes lit up with excitement. "Maybe! What if there's a chest full of gold coins and sparkling jewels?"

With their imaginations running wild, the two friends decided to embark on a grand adventure. They gathered some snacks, a map they drew with colourful crayons, and set off in their small rowboat towards the mysterious island.

As they approached the shore, the island seemed even more intriguing. Tall palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze, and the sand sparkled under the sunlight. Timmy and Jake jumped out of the boat, feeling like true explorers.

Their map led them through a thick jungle of ferns and vines. With every step, the friends whispered to each other about the incredible treasures they might discover. They giggled and imagined being heroes, finding the hidden riches that no one else had ever seen.

After a short walk, they reached a clearing and saw a big, old tree with a hollow at its base. Timmy gasped, "Could this be the hiding place for the treasure?"

Excitement filled the air as they carefully peeked into the hollow. To their surprise, they found a small box tucked away inside. Timmy reached in and pulled it out with trembling hands. They opened it slowly, and inside were not gold coins or jewels, but something even more magical—a collection of seashells in every colour of the rainbow.

Jake grinned, "These shells are like our own treasures from the sea!"

Timmy agreed, "And we can share them with everyone in the village!"

With their newfound treasures in hand, the friends raced back to their boat, eager to show the village the beautiful seashells they had discovered. As they sailed home, they laughed and talked about the amazing adventure they had shared on their very own "Treasure Island."

And so, in the little coastal village, the seashells became symbols of the incredible friendship between Timmy and Jake, reminding everyone that sometimes, the most valuable treasures are the ones we find in the simple joys of life.

https://www.facebook.com/MiaEnglishTeacher

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

The Tapestry of Time by English With Mia

"The Tapestry of Time" by English With Mia

Once in a small town, there lived an old woman named Granny Rose. She was known for her cosy little cottage and the beautiful garden that surrounded it. Every day, Granny Rose tended to her flowers, whispering stories to them as if they were old friends.

One day, a curious little girl named Lily wandered into Granny Rose's garden. Lily had heard tales from the other kids about Granny's magical stories and wanted to know if they were true.

"Hello, dearie! What brings you to my humble garden?" Granny Rose greeted Lily with a warm smile.

Lily shyly replied, "I heard you tell stories to your flowers. Can I hear one too, Granny?"

Granny Rose chuckled, "Of course, my sweet. Sit by the roses; they love a good audience."

As they sat among the blooming roses, Granny Rose began her tale. She spoke of a magical tapestry that hung in the heart of the garden. This tapestry, she said, held the stories of everyone in the town.

Lily's eyes widened with amazement. "Really, Granny? A magical tapestry?"

Granny Rose nodded, "Oh, yes, dear. Legend has it that every person's life is woven into this tapestry. The threads represent the moments we cherish, the challenges we face, and the love we share."

Lily's curiosity peaked, and she asked, "Can we see it, Granny?"

Granny Rose winked, "Follow me, dearie."

In the centre of the garden, hidden behind a curtain of vines, was a small archway. Granny Rose pulled aside the vines, revealing a beautiful tapestry hanging in a quiet nook.

Lily gasped, "It's so colourful! What do the threads mean?"

Granny Rose explained, "Each thread represents a person's journey through time. The bright threads are happy moments, the dark ones are challenges, and the threads that weave together show the bonds of love and friendship."

As they admired the tapestry, Granny Rose pointed to a thread that sparkled in different colours. "This, my dear, is your thread. Every time you laugh, play, or learn something new, a new colour appears."

Lily traced her finger along her thread, mesmerized by the magic it held. "It's like a story, isn't it, Granny?"

Granny Rose nodded, "Exactly, dearie. Life is a beautiful story, and every person contributes to the tapestry of time."

From that day on, Lily visited Granny Rose often, learning and growing, adding new colours to her thread on the magical tapestry. And as the seasons changed, the tapestry continued to weave the stories of the town a colourful, interconnected masterpiece that celebrated the simple joys of life.

And so, in the heart of the small town, Granny Rose and Lily showed that even the simplest moments could be part of a magical tapestry, binding people together through the threads of time.

https://www.facebook.com/MiaEnglishTeacher

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Tuesday 16 January 2024

WITHOUT THINKING by Becky Hemsley 2023

"WITHOUT THINKING"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

I reached for you this morning

Without thinking as I woke

The way I always used to

As the day so softly broke

I looked for you whilst eating

In the place we used to meet

And realised, without thinking

I’d been saving you a seat

I called for you just now

Because I thought I’d seen you there

And without thinking, suddenly

Your name was on the air

I cried for you last night

Because I couldn’t keep it in

And instinct took me over

As I let the darkness win

But that is how it is these days

And I have understood

That so much of my thinking

Will lead back to thoughts of us

So, I’ll think of you tomorrow

Like I did just yesterday

And like, without much thinking

I have thought of you today

See, it’s such a contradiction

But it couldn’t be more true

That always, without thinking

I am thinking about you

*****

Becky Hemsley 2023

'Without Thinking' is from my book of grief and loss poetry https://a.co/d/8T2c0uD

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

Monday 15 January 2024

OBSTICLES & CHALLENGES by Tahlia Hunter

"OBSTICLES & CHALLENGES"
by Tahlia Hunter

"And if on the path,

you encounter an obstacle

and feel discouraged,

you do not say

"This is it, the journey is over,

it is not possible

for me to go any further."

Instead, you keep your eyes fixed on

the destination,

and stare the obstacle directly in the face

and ask it

"What are you here

to show me or to teach me?"

and then thank it for its lessons and wisdom,

for in the obstacle

lies the way forward.

For an obstacle

is not an ending:

it merely indicates that

what you are trying to accomplish

will not come about

in the exact timing,

in the exact place,

or in the exact way

that you previously envisioned,

and so it may be treated

not as a hindrance,

but an inevitable part of your path

that you were destined to navigate

and overcome.

And so if you encounter an obstacle,

do not despair,

for the dream is not lost:

it is never lost,

so long as you are living,

for there is always a way forward

and you are merely being redirected.

Remember, my dear,

that every hero

of their own story

must face obstacles and challenges,

for this is how

they find their inner strength,

and though the path may be difficult

you are destined to reach the end."

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

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

Artwork by Catrin Welz-Stein

AS TIME GOES BY by Donna Ashworth

"AS TIME GOES BY" by Donna Ashworth

As time goes by,

You will loosen your grip on that rock,

The one you always thought was home,

And you will realise that home is not a place,

It’s a state of mind.

Let it go.

As times goes by,

You will learn to see yourself more clearly,

The girl who was always too much of one thing,

And too little of another, was actually

Everything she needed to be.

Let her out.

As time goes by,

You will let the simple things become the big,

And you will allow the big things to become the simple,

And that readjustment will be,

The day you really start to live,

Let it be.

As time goes by,

You will be forced to say goodbye many times,

And your soft little heart will shatter but,

It will still beat and that will bring you,

All the purpose you need.

Let it beat.

As time goes by,

You will stop choosing wealth over peace,

You will stop choosing money over time,

And you will see that the treasures you need,

Are in the smiles and the laughter.

Let them in.

As times goes by,

The moments you remember when your life flashes past,

Are never the awful memories my friend, it’s the joy,

The summer nights, the lazy days with loved ones,

The midnight chats and the morning hugs,

Let them happen.

Let them all happen.

Donna Ashworth

Artwork : Autumn Skye Morrison

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

STICKS AND STONES by Becky Hemsley 2022

"STICKS AND STONES"
by Becky Hemsley 2022

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But words will cut me deep

They’ll keep on hurting long after

The breaks and bruises heal

Because the sticks will meet my skin,

The stones may hit my bones

But words will carve their way beneath

And make my soul their home

And this gives them the power

To control me and to win

‘Cause now I’ve words of worthlessness

From outside and within

See stones are thrown in anger

But our words are thrown in spite

And whilst they’re easier to pitch

They’re more difficult to fight

Because we cannot run away,

We cannot just unhear them,

Because their echoes resonate

Long after we are near them

And if we are not careful

Then those words become our voice

One that learns to shout the loudest

And to make the biggest noise

So do not be the reason

Someone hates their own reflection

Or thinks they are not worthy

Or deserving of affection

And when you pick your words

Weigh them awhile between your palms

Consider whether hurling them

Will heal or hurt or harm

Yes, sticks and stones may break a bone

But words can break a heart

And they can be the reason

Someone tears themself apart

So if you wouldn’t break their bones

By throwing stones and sticks

It’s likely for the best

That some words do not leave your lips

******

Becky Hemsley 2022

Stunning artwork by Sara-Arasteh Art

'Sticks and Stones' is from my second collection:

https://amzn.eu/d/4LMDKfw

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