THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Sunday 25 February 2024

LIVING by Becky Hemsley

"LIVING"
by Becky Hemsley

Life in its essence is breaths that we take

Our very next breath is just seconds away

And breathing ensures we survive, we exist

But being alive is a lot more than this

It's climbing a mountain then looking back down

To see where you started and where you are now

It's loving the view that you see from up there

With the earth at your feet and the wind in your hair

It’s meeting with friends to catch up over tea

And laughing until you forget how to breathe

It’s dancing all night ‘til your feet wind up sore

And singing along ‘til your throat feels raw

It’s walking the beach and it's watching the tide

It’s finding a shell to hear oceans inside

It's flying ‘til you can see clouds from above

It's counting the stars and it's falling in love

It's watching the sun rise and watching it set

It’s gathering moments you'll never forget

The moments that teeter and flutter between

A world full of wonder and one of routine

So breathe in and out - it'll keep you alive

But know that you're here to do more than survive

You’re here to let music dance on through your veins

To climb to the top of the mountain again

To see yourself fly and to feel your heart leap

The world is a show and you’ve got front row seats

So in the next seconds, when you breathe on in

Remember the wonder of life that’s within

‘Cause taking a breath keeps you living for sure

But the breathtaking moments?

They’re what we live for

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Stunning artwork by Illustre Mayon

(with a perfectly-matched quote by Marabeth Quin)

This one is called "Living" and can be found in my fourth collection, Letters from Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9MZC1...

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

Tommy the Village Delivery Boy by by John A Elliott 2024

"Tommy the Village Delivery Boy"

by John A Elliott 2024

Every morning, before the sun rose over the hills, Tommy would get up and start his deliveries. He was a small boy, but he had a big heart and a lot of energy. He loved his job, because he got to see the whole village of Heptonstall and meet all kinds of people.

He would first go to the newsagent, where Mr. Jones would give him a stack of newspapers to deliver. Tommy would put them in his bicycle basket and ride along the old cobbled roads, stopping at every house to drop off a paper. He would greet the early risers with a smile and a cheerful "Good morning!"

Next, he would go to the bakery, where Mrs. Smith would give him a bag of fresh bread to deliver. Tommy would put them in his backpack and ride up the long and winding steep hill, smelling the delicious aroma of the bread. He would knock on the doors of the houses that ordered bread and hand them a loaf. He would sometimes get a tip or a treat from the grateful customers.

Then, he would go to the florist, where Miss Green would give him a bunch of flowers to deliver. Tommy would put them in his bicycle basket and ride down the hill, admiring the beautiful colours and shapes of the flowers. He would ring the bells of the houses that ordered flowers and give them a bouquet. He would often see the recipients' faces light up with joy and surprise.

Finally, he would go to the grocer, where Mr. Brown would give him a box of groceries to deliver. Tommy would put them in his backpack and ride up the hill again, feeling the weight of the box. He would leave the groceries at the doorsteps of the houses that ordered them and collect the money. He would always count the change carefully and return any extra to the grocer.

By the time Tommy finished his deliveries, the sun would be high in the sky and the village would be bustling with life. Tommy would return to his home, where his mother would welcome him with a hug and a hot breakfast. He would eat his fill and then rest for a while, before getting ready for school. He would always look forward to the next morning, when he would do his deliveries again.

Footnote

Heptonstall is a small village in West Yorkshire England. The image is of the quaint old world village

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

Saturday 24 February 2024

I AM A SHADOW IN A DREAM by Joanne Boyle

"I AM A SHADOW IN A DREAM"
by Joanne Boyle

An invisible piece of string.

We both held it at each end.

We kept meeting in the middle,

but always as a friend.

Two hearts that were as one,

both too young to know,

but the years brought us together,

and we helped each other grow.

The love was seen by others.

Felt in our hearts skin deep.

I was awake when I was with you,

and without you I'm asleep.

I now find you in every room.

in every place we ever went.

I see you everywhere I go,

like an angel heaven sent.

My existence is just that now.

I am a shadow in a dream.

That string loosely sways

because one is not a team.

******

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

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

art by Steffi Krenzek

BECOME YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND

"BECOME YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND"
(author unknown)

I used to depend so much on people to give me happiness not knowing I am the only person that could give myself happiness.

Over the years I expect people to always stay by my side so that I am not alone and I can be happy, but nothing is permanent, not even human live. Therefore, I decided to quit.

I quit having others to control on my own happiness. And that is why I have had to learn to become my own best friend. There was many nights I spent crying myself to sleep, sad, and lonely with almost every given heartache.

Over time, I realized that I had to learn to comfort myself to overcome the pain. It's a process, and I am still learning how to do it, but I have gotten so much better. I can honestly say that I am my own best friend.

Love yourself and treat yourself as you would treat your very best friend. You deserve the same love you given to others and there is nobody that could give the same love to you like you give to yourself.

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

AGEING by Becky Hemsley

"AGEING"
by Becky Hemsley

Ageing is not an affliction

It's not a disease we should cure

It isn't a foe or an enemy,

A battle we have to endure

It's not something we have to fight against

Despite what we might have been told

It's a gift that's denied to so many

Who would love to be here growing old

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

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

Artwork by @ashouriart via Instagram

A little reminder for us all today.

From my latest collection https://a.co/d/hoKxs0D

A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane with Shadow Play by John A Elliott 2024

"A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane with Shadow Play"

by John A Elliott 2024

Do you remember playing, casting shadows on the wall? Winter log fires burning in the hearth, while smelling the fragrance of fresh pine, the flames casting their flickering orange glow around the room, as we made those wonderful shapes with our fingers. Of strange eagles, dragons so fierce, and maybe a face or two.

I do. I remember those cosy evenings with my family, (five sisters) when we would turn off the lights and let our imaginations run wild. We would create stories with our shadow puppets, making them talk and interact with each other. Sometimes we would laugh so hard that we would forget the cold outside. Sometimes we would get scared by the monsters we conjured up and snuggle closer to each other. Ah! Those were the carefree days of yesteryear and my childhood, growing up as I did during the 1950's/60's

Those were the days, when life was simpler for everyone, and much more fun. When mum and dad didn't have to worry about work, bills, or the news. When we could just be ourselves and enjoy the moment. When we felt connected to each other and to the magic of the world.

I miss those days. I miss the warmth, the laughter, the wonder, and the innocence. I miss the feeling of togetherness, of being a child again, with endless possibilities and no limits to our imaginations. I miss the shadow plays on the walls, during those long and cold winter nights, as we gathered round the fire in our living room, waiting for our nightcaps of cocoa or hot chocolate.

Do you miss it too? Do you ever wish you could ask a Djinn in a bottle to take you back to those times and relive them? Just the once, without any strings, to see your younger self and family enjoying an evening together. Do you ever try to recreate them with your own children or friends?

If you do, I would love to hear from you. I would love to know what kind of shadows you make, what stories you tell, and what emotions you feel. I would love to share your memories and experiences with my readers. Let us all keep those shadow play memories alive.

Until we meet again, keep playing, keep dreaming, Stay young at heart and keep casting those shadows on the wall. And most of all, have a wonderful life wherever you are in the world

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

YOU WILL NEVER TIRE OF WATCHING by Joanne Boyle

"YOU WILL NEVER TIRE OF WATCHING"
by Joanne Boyle

Walking with your memories,

in the darkness of each day.

The outside world is a big TV

as you put them on to play.

The episodes are on repeat

but each time is better than last.

That kiss, that hug, that silence,

a moment from the past.

You pause them for a moment,

as someone stops to talk.

They ask how you are doing,

as they continue on their walk.

You didn't want to answer,

like they didn't want to hear.

You just want to watch those memories,

and drink in every tear.

The food that fills that gaping hole,

is the glint from laughing eyes.

You turn the volume button up,

so laughter drowns your cries.

You will never tire of watching,

and neither will you forget.

Love and loss become one,

when your one is met.

******

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

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

art by Steffi Krenzek

WHAT MATTERS TO US MOST by Joanne Boyle

"WHAT MATTERS TO US MOST"
by Joanne Boyle

I went to see God today,

and I looked him in the eye.

I asked him why he took me,

and made so many cry.

I waited for my answer,

to bring it back to you, then

God turned to me and smiled,

and opened up a view.

I saw familiar faces.

Dogs that played with birds.

Flowers that never wilted,

no one was ever scared.

Children wore their wings,

like a costume from a shop.

The eternal view of life,

was never meant to stop.

I still didn't understand,

but I felt glad that I was here.

God then opened up the clouds,

and I saw that I was near.

It was then he began to speak,

he said "just look down there,

so much pain and destruction,

a sight I cannot bare.

So each day I find new angels,

some are young and old,

but once they are here in heaven,

their age will always hold.

I know that when I take them,

hearts will break in two

I keep sending down reminders,

in their memories of you.

My angels go to earth,

and help them with this fate

but some I go to carry,

to help them through the gate.

Some people are in pain,

and though you cannot see,

heaven is the place,

that they deeply long to be.

Some are just too beautiful,

or were sent to earth too soon.

Some were just too fragile,

to be a part of life's sad tune.

We know who is arriving,

the time, the date and place.

and we know we leave so many

with a big and empty space.

We will fill it with sweet memories,

and let you go and see.

What matters to us most,

is that you are now happy."

By now I had forgotten my question,

but not those id left behind.

I knew I would always live,

in the memories that you'll find.

******

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

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

art by Steffi Krenzek

MOTHER EARTH by Becky Hemsley

"MOTHER EARTH"
by Becky Hemsley

She’s mountains and she’s sunshine

She’s the moon, silvery bright

She’s the clouds and wind and rain

And she’s the dancing Northern Lights

She is deserts and savannahs

She’s the waves that fill the sea

She is birdsong and she’s flowers

She’s the blossom on the trees

And if you treat her fairly

She will let the sun shine through

She will kiss you with a gentle breeze

And paint the sky in blue

She’ll rain if you are thirsty

Then she’ll blow the clouds away

And she’ll decorate with rainbows

Whilst she calms the ocean waves

But if you treat her badly

She will breathe out stormy skies

She will summon up tornadoes

And antagonise the tides

She’ll throw things from the mountain

In an avalanche of snow

And she’ll blaze and burn the forest

So the trees no longer grow

She’ll treat you as you treat her

So be careful what you choose

For she’s power you can’t comprehend

And much she stands to lose

So treat her with the kindness

And respect that she deserves

'Cause, if you rearrange her heart

You’ll see it holds the earth

*******

Becky Hemsley 2021

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Stunning artwork by Mary Feywood

'Mother Earth' is from Talking to the Wild

https://amzn.eu/d/4HUnM5y

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

Friday 23 February 2024

THANK YOU! from Becky Hemsley

"THANK YOU!" from Becky Hemsley

I just wanted to pop on with a little appreciation post for you all right now

Because I have spent the last hour packing some of my books into boxes and envelopes, to send out to charities and high schools and libraries in my local area.

The big plan is to be able to keep doing this - to keep throwing the net further and further. Because I think words should be accessible to all.

Every time someone buys my work, I am eternally grateful for two reasons:

1. Because it allows me to keep doing this - something I am incredibly passionate about and which brings me so much joy.

2. Because it tells me you believe in me. And every time I see someone share a photo of one of my books, or each time someone tells me they’ve got one, it lights the fire inside of me that little bit more: the one that often feels threatened of suffocation by self-doubt.

But I won’t ask or beg anyone to buy them. I will never expect anyone to stretch themselves financially to do so, because we can never really know what position people may find themselves in.

So I am always looking for ways to pay it forward. And whilst I can only do it for a tiny pocket of a huge, wide world right now, I truly believe that little ripples can create huge waves. That little actions can create big movements.

And that’s what you’ve given me.

You might think it’s just a like or a comment or a share or a book you’ve bought. But these are ripples.

And you wonderful people…

Well your ripples are making waves.

****** Thank you xx

Becky Hemsley

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

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