THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday 20 April 2024

The Mother Watch by Edgar Albert Guest

"The Mother Watch" by Edgar Albert Guest 20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959

She never closed her eyes in sleep till we were all in bed;

On party nights till we came home she often sat and read,

We little thought about it then, when we were young and gay,

How much the mother worried when we children were away.

We only knew she never slept when we were out at night,

And that she waited just to know that we'd come home all right.

Why, sometimes when we'd stayed away till one or two or three,

It seemed to us that mother heard the turning of the key;

For always when we stepped inside she'd call and we'd reply,

But we were all too young back then to understand just why.

Until the last one had returned she always kept a light,

For mother couldn't sleep until she'd kissed us all good night.

She had to know that we were safe before she went to rest;

She seemed to fear the world might harm the ones she loved the best.

And often she said: "When you are grown to women and men,

Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night through; I may be different then."

And so it seemed that night and day we knew a mother's care ---

That always when we got back home we'd find her waiting there.

Then came the night that we were called to gather round her bed:

"The children all are with you now," the kindly doctor said.

And in her eyes there gleamed again the old-time tender light

That told she had been waiting just to know we were all right.

She smiled the old-familiar smile, and prayed to God to keep

Us safe from harm throughout the years, and then she went to sleep.

******** By Edgar Albert Guest

20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959

Image Credit: Mary Benke Fine Art

Via Tipp Town

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I WILL CARRY YOU by Joanne Boyle

"I WILL CARRY YOU"
by Joanne Boyle

I will carry you on my shoulders,

put your troubles on my back.

I will show you how to find

all the reasons that you lack.

I shall take you to the moon,

hide you amidst the clouds.

I shall keep your secret safe,

away from all the crowds.

I will show you where the stars live,

I'll even give you one,

I will guide you through the mist,

give you strength to carry on.

I will let you meet the angels,

introduce them all to you.

I shall then send you back,

because life wants you too

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS ISN'T TOO OLD

"SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS ISN'T TOO OLD" (author unknown)

Oak trees are one of the planet's oldest and most widespread trees and a crucial source of raw materials. The live oak (Quercus) is a unique species because it remains green and “live” throughout the winter. Early humans used live oak trees to build homes, create tools, and construct ships. Today, people use live oak wood in furniture, flooring materials, and cosmetic creams.

A mature live oak tree can reach around 148 feet (45 m), whereas a typical oak tree averages 60 feet (18.5 m). The mighty tree’s crown is symmetrical, rounded, and dense. The leaves grow thickly and provide a shady haven. One mature, leafy tree can produce as much oxygen in a season as ten people can inhale in a year. We are thankful for these magnificent trees.

You may see an oak tree and think nothing of it, but your view may change after learning some of its beneficial features. We are amazed that live oaks can live up to 1,000 years. Scientists don’t consider them old until they reach the age of 700. Until that age, they continue to grow and produce acorns to multiply offspring. One live oak produces about ten million acorns during its lifetime. Each acorn contains a seed enclosed in a tough shell. Besides being a seed, the oak’s acorns are a primary food source for many birds, squirrels, mice, rats, deer, pigs, and bears.

The live oak is among the most important species in many forests, woodlands, and other ecosystems. These hardy trees survive even the harshest environmental conditions and provide shelter and food for many organisms. The tannic acid in the tree’s leaves and bark protects it from fungi and insects. The thick main stems store water for use during dry periods. Most live oaks have thick bark to protect them from fire. They are beautiful additions to the ecosystems that God has created.

WALKING WITH GRIEF by Joanne Boyle

"WALKING WITH GRIEF" by Joanne Boyle

Side by side we walked,

together grief and I.

Carrying my life's remains

under a darkened sky.

I asked when it would leave.

If the sun would shine again.

I asked if it would heal,

if it could stop the pain.

Grief took its time to speak.

I often wondered why.

Many times we sat together

and all i did was cry.

Grief never ever left me.

and then one day it said.

"Iam going nowhere,

so learn to live with me instead."

I then befriended grief.

It then began to talk.

I looked forward to its stories,

when side by side we'd walk.

Together we shared memories

that i had locked away.

Grief is now a part of me,

and i accept its here to stay.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

WOMAN

"WOMAN" (author unknown)

When God created woman he was working late on the 6th day.......

An angel came by and asked." Why spend so much time on her"

The lord answered. "Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her"

She must function in all kinds of situations,

She must be able to embrace several kids at the same time,

Have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart,

She must do all this with only two hands,"

She cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a day"

THE ANGEL was impressed" Just two hands.....impossible!

And this is the standard model"

The Angel came closer and touched the woman"

"But you have made her so soft, Lord".

"She is soft", said the Lord,

"But I have made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome"

"Can she think" The Angel asked...

The Lord answered. "Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate"

The Angel touched her cheeks....

"Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her"

"She is not leaking...it is a tear" The Lord corrected the Angel…

"What's it for" Asked the Angel..... .

The Lord said. "Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride."...

This made a big impression on the Angel,

"Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything.

A woman is indeed marvellous"

Lord said. "Indeed she is.

She has strength that amazes a man.

She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.

She holds happiness, love and opinions.

She smiles when she feels like screaming.

She sings when she feels like crying, cries when happy and laughs when afraid.

She fights for what she believes in.

Her love is unconditional.

Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies but she finds strength to get on with life"

The Angel asked: So she is a perfect being..

The Lord replied: No. She has just one drawback

"She often forgets what she is worth".

Facial image above created by free online AI software:
https://this-person-does-not-exist.com/en

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FLOWERS by Joanne Boyle

"FLOWERS" by Joanne Boyle

Don't sit by my grave and say sorry

or place flowers at my place of rest.

Come and join me at my table

when I invite you to be my guest.

Do not tell everyone I was wonderful

when I can no longer hear.

Tell me to my face my friend

because to me it wasn't clear.

Do not shed a tear for me

that is really born from your regrets.

Instead make sure you won't have any,

let us share each others secrets.

Do not stand in a church doorway

and shake the hands of friends,

whilst believing in your heart

that this will make amends.

Do not bring me flowers

unless I can smell how sweet they are.

Bring them when I'm alive

and not watching from afar.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

Come live with me and be my love By Christopher Marlowe

"Come live with me and be my love"

By Christopher Marlowe

Come live with me and be my love,

And we will all the pleasures prove

That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,

Woods or sleepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,

Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull;

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,

With coral clasps and amber studs:

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherds' swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May morning:

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my love.

Friday 19 April 2024

THE SHOPKEEPER, SEASHELLS AND THE LITTLE BOY

"THE SHOPKEEPER, SEASHELLS AND THE LITTLE BOY"
(author unknown)

A 6-year old boy was in the market with his 3-year old sister...

Suddenly the boy found that his sister was lagging behind.

He stopped and looked back - his sister was standing in front of a toy shop and was watching something with great interest.

The boy went back to her and asked, "Do you want something?" The sister pointed at the doll.

The boy held her hand and like a responsible elder brother, gave that doll to her. The sister was very very happy...

The shopkeeper was watching everything and getting amused to see the matured behaviour of the boy... the boy came to the counter and asked the shopkeeper, "What is the cost of this doll Sir?"

The shopkeeper was a kind man and had experienced the odds of life.

So he asked the boy with a lot of love n affection, “Well, what can you pay?"

The boy took out shells that he had collected from sea shore, from his pocket and gave them to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper took the shells and started counting as if he were counting the currency.

Then he looked at the boy.

The boy asked him worriedly, "Is it too little Sir?"

The shopkeeper said, "No, no... these are more than the cost. So I will return the remaining."

Saying so, he kept only 4 shells and returned the remaining.

The boy, very happily put the shells back in his pocket and left with his sister.

An employee was very surprised watching all this.

He asked the shopkeeper, "Sir, you gave away such a costly doll just for 4 shells?"

The shopkeeper said with a smile, "Well, for us these are mere shells, but for that boy, these shells are very precious.

And at this age he does not understand what money is yet, but when he grows up, he definitely will.

And then he would remember that he purchased a doll with shells instead of money, and he will remember me and think that world is still full of good and kind people.."

Hello, I'm a dandelion

"Hello, I'm a dandelion" (author unknown)

A lot of people call me a weed but I'm a friend and come to help you!

My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them!

When you see me, remember that I'm the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because:

Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.

Or there is too little calcium in the soil - don't worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.

Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance.

Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course.

I'm here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise!

Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved.

You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I'm far from ready but if they all reach up then I'm already a long way on my way.

Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you.

During the day when it's hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it's not hot enough during the day I won't open them at all!

My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes - check them out.

But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don't pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!”