THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Tuesday 26 March 2024

The secret that lasts a lifetime, and then some

"The secret that lasts a lifetime, and then some" (author unknown)

I interviewed a couple that just had their 60th wedding anniversary and I asked them one question.

"How does a beautiful couple like yourself keep such a healthy marriage for over 60 years?"

She told me, "Wait right here young man" and she went back to their bedroom and pulled something from a weathered roll top desk.

It was an old worn out Bible.

She said "This right here is what has got us through everything life has thrown at us for the past 60 years".

She went on about how it completely changed their lives and it taught them numerous things that should be a staple in all relationships this day and age, no matter how long you and your significant other have been together.

She said.....

We learned how to forgive each other.

We rebuilt trust when it was broken.

We always listened to one another.

We apologized for things when we were wrong.

We always made time for each other.

We learned how to communicate.

We always put one another first no matter the circumstance.

We never stopped dating each other.

We always told each other "I love you" before we went to bed.

We always prayed for each other daily.

We never made permanent decisions based on our temporary emotions.

She said... "This is just a few things the Bible has taught us".

I decided to ask her one last question.

I said, "After 60 years, are you worried about what tomorrow brings?"

She said something I'll never forget.

She said, "I trust the next chapter of our love story, because I know the author.

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I KNEW YOU'D COME EVENTUALLY by Joanne Boyle

"I KNEW YOU'D COME EVENTUALLY"
by Joanne Boyle

Everyday she would come and sit

underneath the blossoming tree.

She would take out a lunchbox

and position it on her knee.

There was always two sandwiches

and 2 pieces of cream cake.

Yet everyday she was sat alone

in the pictures I would take.

Sometimes I'd hear her laughing.

Other times I'd hear her cry.

I kept walking on the same path,

Just so I could pass her by.

Then one day I sat beside her.

and she shared her lunch with me,

and the only words she spoke

were "I knew you'd come eventually."

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

A MESSAGE DELIVERED by Joanne Boyle

"A MESSAGE DELIVERED"
by Joanne Boyle

She closed her eyes so very tight,

and hoped and hoped with all her might

that the birthday wishes she had to send,

would arrive safely at heavens end.

Then all of a sudden she grew wings

and started a journey to other things.

She passed through birthdays from before

and saw her mum again once more.

She heard laughter. She smelt perfume.

She brought flowers that would bloom.

She saw friendship and so much love. .

She visited her mum in a world above.

She heard singing from all around.

Her heart danced to its beautiful sound.

She kissed her Mum and as a tear fell,

She left her a note and said Farewell.

In heaven her Mum read her note

of all the love she did devote.

A message delivered through memories.

In a world of dreams the other sees.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

WOMEN by Donna Ashworth

"WOMEN" by Donna Ashworth

In this life we women are many things,

mothers, sisters, wives, friends, carers.

We are creators,

we are nurture,

we are home.

But above all,

we women are the magic.

We are the intuition.

We are the product of generations,

who fought to be heard,

to be believed,

to be empowered.

And that runs very deep.

When women come together,

magic happens my friend.

And those who tell you otherwise are afraid.

We are not.

So come together in all your glory today and every day.

Because you can,

because you must,

because you are called by deep-seated ancestry to do so.

And because, most of all,

we hold up half the sky,

and our half must show the other

how to be.~

~Donna Ashworth~

Photo: Art by Helen Nelson

Sunday 24 March 2024

THE ILIAD by Homer (Lets investigate this epic story)

"THE ILIAD by Homer"
(Lets investigate this epic story)

The Iliad is an ancient epic poem written by the Greek poet Homer. It tells the story of the Trojan War, a ten-year conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans. The poem primarily focuses on the hero Achilles' anger and its consequences.

The story begins with the Greek army besieging the city of Troy, led by King Agamemnon. However, Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior, refuses to fight because of a dispute with Agamemnon over a woman named Briseis. Achilles' absence on the battlefield leads to many Greek losses, and the Trojans gain advantage.

The Trojans, led by the prince Hector, successfully defend their city against the Greeks and launch counter-attacks. Achilles' close friend Patroclus convinces him to let him wear his armour and lead the Greeks into battle. Tragically, Patroclus is killed by Hector, greatly enraging Achilles and reigniting his desire for revenge.

Achilles returns to battle, seeking vengeance for Patroclus' death. He faces Hector in single combat and kills him, dragging his body behind his chariot as a sign of his triumph. Hector's father, King Priam, comes to Achilles and begs for his son's body to be returned. Touched by Priam's grief, Achilles allows for Hector's body to be returned for a proper burial, showing a compassionate side to his character.

Throughout the poem, various gods and goddesses intervene in the war, either aiding or hindering the mortal characters. The Iliad also explores themes of honour, glory, fate, and the destructive power of pride.

The poem also contains many subplots and stories of other heroes, gods, and goddesses who intervene in the war, such as the disputes between the gods on both sides of the conflict. Homer explores themes such as honour, glory, fate, and the destructive power of pride.

Overall, The Iliad is a timeless epic that provides insights into the human condition, the consequences of war, and the interplay between mortals and the gods. It is a testament to the heroic ideals of the ancient Greeks and remains one of the most influential literary works in Western literature.

HOLDING ON by Becky Hemsley

"HOLDING ON"
by Becky Hemsley

Loss is an inevitable part of life. And with it of course, comes grief.

Grief can feel like a deep, dark hole that we will never climb out of,

but when it all feels hopeless, I like to remember that it works just like love.

Because, when we first fall in love, it is intense.

It is overwhelming and consuming and loud. We cannot think of anything else, and we constantly crave the one we love.

After a while it becomes less intense, but it grows.

It grows deeper, more comfortable. It settles down and settles in for the

long haul, knowing that it is not fleeting or superficial. It is less consuming. Quieter. An undercurrent of our every day without overwhelming our every thought.

Sometimes something will happen to bring that overwhelming love back to the surface; moments of pride or surprise or nostalgia that remind us just how much we love someone. Moments where our love is once again intense and loud.

And then it settles back into our heart where it knows it will stay.

Grief is the same.

At first it is loud and consuming, intense and overwhelming.

We constantly crave the one we grieve.

Then it becomes less intense, less consuming. An undercurrent of our every day without overwhelming our every thought.

And sometimes something will happen to bring our grief bubbling right back to the surface. Moments where our grief is once again intense and loud.

And then it settles back into our heart where it knows it will stay.

Because great grief is born of great love.

So where grief remains, where grief rests,

it often helps to remember that love is there too.

Sitting with her arm around grief

and holding it tight.

*****

Becky Hemsley 2023

Artwork by Annie Hamman Art

'Holding on' is from Letters from Life https://a.co/d/9ULJjlF

COCOA IN THE CANDLELIGHT by Kimberly Hanson (a free downloadable e-book)

"COCOA IN THE CANDLELIGHT"
by Kimberly Hanson

Here is a free download from our e-book library, just click on the links above. The e-book is in .pdf format and can be downloaded or simply read straight from your browser. If you would like even more free e-books of various genres, then please sign up for our Newsletter below and gain access to our growing e-book library

DEAR MUM by Joanne Boyle

"DEAR MUM" by Joanne Boyle

If there was a doorway to tomorrow,

or a window to the past.

Would I face the hurt again,

and make this day our last?

Could I say Goodbye to you,

or let the now just disappear?

Could I forget the years,

I have had since you were here?

You taught me to be selfless.

To be just like you.

So the doorway to tomorrow,

is what I will walk through.

Today you are still here,

though many years ago.

We spoke about the future,

because we didn't know.

We didn't know that doorway,

would lock itself on you.

That tomorrow wouldn't come,

for us to make memories new.

So Today we are together.

There's a table where we sit.

The kettle boils away, and

a cigarette gets lit.

We speak about our Day,

tales of your night out.

We talk about our Family,

nothing to write home about.

This is what we done.

This was me and you.

A Mother and her Daughter,

who were best friends too.

We didn't need excitement,

or care what others done.

We didn't envy others,

or care for any pun.

I keep looking at that doorway,

and the clock upon the wall.

I want to remove the battery,

but I know that death will call.

No one can take my memories,

as they are tattooed in my heart.

And no amount of doorways,

will ever keep us apart.

So when tomorrow comes,

I'll be thankful for today.

And the Mam that I'll recall,

won't have gone away.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

I FOUND MY PEACE by Joanne Boyle

"I FOUND MY PEACE"
by Joanne Boyle

I heard that awful news today

as you stood beside my bed.

Although I had prepared myself,

for all the things you said.

I just sat there numb.

I wanted you to go away.

I wanted the life I'd known.

I wanted yesterday.

Yet still you stood there screeching,

scratching at my brain.

Running over my ever after

with the wheels of your steam train.

I am not sure if you saw me cry,

or did I wait for you to go?

I tried to cover my ears,

because I didn't want to know.

I heard everything you said.

I just didn't comprehend.

So I played my childhood game.

The one where I pretend.

I thought a thousand thoughts.

I wondered what I'd done.

I looked towards the door.

Maybe I could run.

Then I thought of my family.

My children of the Earth.

So I looked you in the eye,

and remembered my self worth.

I was not afraid of anything,

as much as leaving you behind.

Who would be there to guide you

when something was on your mind?

So then I found my peace

with the life I got to own.

Cancer will not defeat me.

This illness I disown.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek