THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Thursday 28 March 2024

MY IMAGINARY FRIEND by Tahlia Hunter

"MY IMAGINARY FRIEND"
by Tahlia Hunter

When I was a little girl,

I had an imaginary friend.

When I was teased for being ugly,

she would whisper to me

that I was beautiful

and when I sat alone, without friends,

she remind me that I was wanted and loved.

But as I started to grow older,

she visited me less and less,

until she told me one day,

"I must leave you now.

You won't be able to see me

but still I will be with you, always.

in every high and low of life

I will remain by your side,

and though I may appear invisible

you will still be able to sense and feel me.

Every kind word

and every loving encounter,

is a message from me.

And when you reach the end of your life,

we will be reunited again.

It is not goodbye forever,

it is only goodbye until then.

And until then,

you must speak to yourself

that words I told you

and remind yourself

that there is a place for you in this world

that only you can fill

and that you are loved far more than you can ever imagine

and are deserving of being here."

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

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Artwork by Katarína Vavrová Artist

Wednesday 27 March 2024

WHEN SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF THE FUTURE by Tahlia Hunter

"WHEN SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF THE FUTURE"
by Tahlia Hunter

"You would not open a book

to a random page

and read a few lines

and think to yourself

"These few words that I am reading

define the entire story."

Yet, this is what you do, my dear,

when you let a single experience

of failure or rejection

define you

and your story.

And so there are times in your life

where you must learn to view your life as a story

and zoom out from your current experience,

and remind yourself

"This present phase

that I find myself in

is merely a passing chapter

and I must continue living,

for the story must go on

and in every story,

every problem

will eventually find its solution

or its ending.

And though this present chapter

may be difficult,

it is the chapters of struggle and heartache

that pave the way for chapters of victory and triumph

and make the story worth reading

and there is a future version of me in the story

that is currently experiencing success

that only exists

because the current version of me

was brave enough to fail

and experience rejection and disappointment."

And though you may not control

the events of the story,

always remember

that you are the narrator,

and you may choose to write it as you wish

trusting that some stories

may only be understood retrospectively

for the same chapters

can be interpreted and told differently

when seen through the eyes of the future

rather than the eyes of the past."

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Lucy Campbell

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.

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

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