THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Thursday 2 May 2024

The Love Song of Finley the Fish and Felicity the Frog by John A Elliott 2024

"The Love Song of Finley the Fish and Felicity the Frog"

by John A Elliott 2024

Once upon a time, in the heart of the shimmering Blue Lagoon, there lived a fish named Finley. Finley was no ordinary fish; he had scales that sparkled like moonlit diamonds, and his tail swirled with hues of azure and aquamarine. Yet, despite his beauty, he felt a deep loneliness that echoed through the water.

Across the lily pads and reeds, in a cosy nook by the water’s edge, dwelled a frog named Felicity. Felicity was a lively creature, her skin a vibrant green, and her eyes as bright as emerald gems. She loved to bask in the sun, croaking melodious tunes to the rustling leaves.

One day, as the sun dipped low, casting golden ripples across the lagoon, Finley spotted Felicity. Her webbed feet danced on the water’s surface, and her laughter echoed through the reeds. He watched her from afar, enchanted by her grace and spirit.

“Hello,” Finley ventured, swimming closer. “I am Finley, the fish.”

Felicity’s eyes widened. “And I am Felicity, the frog,” she replied, her voice like the gentle murmur of a brook. “What brings you to my corner of the lagoon?”

Finley’s heart fluttered. “I come seeking companionship,” he confessed. “The water can be a lonely place.”

Felicity tilted her head. “Lonely? But look around, the lagoon teems with life!”

Finley sighed. “True, but none like you. Your laughter is a symphony, your eyes hold secrets, and your leaps, oh, they defy gravity!”

Felicity blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “And you, Finley, glide through the water like a dream. Your scales shimmer, and your tail, oh, it weaves stories of distant lands.”

And so, beneath the moon’s watchful gaze, Finley and Felicity swam together. They shared tales of sunsets and storms, of tadpoles and minnows. They laughed at dragonfly races and whispered secrets to the lily pads.

But love, like ripples on the water, is never straightforward. Finley yearned to leap onto the shore, to feel the warmth of the sun on his scales. Felicity longed to dive deep, to explore the hidden depths where starfish held their secrets.

One day, as raindrops danced upon the lagoon, Finley confessed, “Felicity, my love, I wish to be with you always. But I cannot leave the water.”

Felicity blinked her dew-kissed eyes. “And I, Finley, yearn for both land and water. How can we bridge this divide?”

They pondered, their hearts entwined like water lilies. And then, inspiration struck. Together, they hatched a plan, a lily pad bridge that connected their worlds. Finley would swim to the edge, and Felicity would hop onto the pad. There, they’d meet, sharing sunsets and moonrises.

And so, every evening, as the sun dipped low, Finley swam to the lily pad, and Felicity hopped onto it. They watched the sky change colours, their love growing stronger with each passing day.

The other creatures of the lagoon marvelled at their devotion—the fish and the frog, bound by more than water. They sang songs of their love, and their tale echoed through the reeds and over the ripples.

And so, in the heart of the shimmering Blue Lagoon, Finley and Felicity found a love that transcended boundaries, a love that danced on lily pads and swirled through the water, forever entwined.

And to this day, if you listen closely, you might hear their love song—a melody of scales and croaks, of moonlit nights and sun-kissed days, a song that reminds us that love knows no bounds, not even those of water and land.

artwork by Dall-E

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More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Charlotte and the Genie from the Thrift Store by John A Elliott 2024

"Charlotte and the Genie from the Thrift Store"

by John A Elliott 2024

In the heart of the bustling city, where skyscrapers kissed the clouds and neon signs hummed their electric songs, lived a curious girl named Charlotte. Charlotte had a penchant for old things, the kind that whispered forgotten tales. She frequented thrift stores, her fingers tracing the edges of dusty books and moth-eaten scarves.

One chilly afternoon, as rain tapped on the windowpanes, Charlotte stepped into a dimly lit shop called “Whispers of Yore.” The air smelled of aged paper and memories. She wandered past cracked mirrors and tarnished candlesticks until her eyes fell upon an antique bottle, its glass etched with intricate patterns.

The shopkeeper, an ancient woman with silver braids, smiled. “Ah, that bottle has a story,” she said. “It washed ashore decades ago, carried by a storm. They say it holds a trapped genie.”

Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat. Genies belonged in fairy tales, not thrift stores. But she couldn’t resist. She purchased the bottle, its stopper sealed with wax.

That night, in her cosy attic room, Charlotte held the bottle to the moonlight. “If you’re real,” she whispered, “grant me a wish.”

The bottle trembled, and a swirl of smoke escaped. Out popped a genie, not the towering figure she expected, but a tiny man with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Three wishes,” the genie crooned. “Choose wisely my dear.”

Charlotte’s mind raced. She could ask for riches or fame, but her heart yearned for something more. “I wish for endless curiosity,” she said. “To explore hidden realms and unravel forgotten mysteries.”

The genie clapped his hands, and suddenly, Charlotte’s room expanded. Bookshelves stretched into infinity, each tome containing secrets of lost civilizations and whispered spells. She stepped into a tapestry portal, its threads shimmering like stardust.

In her newfound world, Charlotte met talking owls who recited ancient poetry, danced with moonlit spirits, and deciphered cryptic runes. She learned the language of whispering winds and the art of time-weaving.

But as days turned into years, Charlotte grew restless. She missed her cosy attic, the smell of rain, and the sound of her grandmother’s stories. She longed for human connection beyond enchanted beings.

The genie appeared, his beard now silver. “Two wishes remain,” he reminded her.

Charlotte hesitated. “I wish for a moment of stillness,” she said. “To sit by the hearth, sip chamomile tea, and listen to raindrops.”

The genie nodded, and suddenly, she was back in her attic. The rain tapped on the window, and her grandmother’s rocking chair creaked. Charlotte brewed tea, its warmth wrapping around her like a hug.

And so, Charlotte balanced her life, threads of curiosity and moments of stillness. She wove her own tale, one that whispered through time and space.

As for her final wish? Well, that remains a secret, tucked away in the antique bottle, waiting for another curious soul to find.

artwork by Dall-E

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1700 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Tahlia Hunter

"AN INVISIBLE THREAD"
by Tahlia Hunter

“It has been said that we always remain connected

through an invisible thread

to all of those in our entire lifetime whom we have ever loved

and will ever love:

past, present and future

whom we wish to stay connected to.

And though they may not be physically there,

their love for you is,

as time is not linear;

and so, even in the times when you cannot sense it,

that does not mean that it is absent.

And though you may feel that there are people

who are currently in your life

who do not love you,

you may trust that this invisible love always surrounds you

that is with you,

and can never be lost.

And though you may tell yourself,

“I have no need for love,”

love will always find you,

even when you aren’t searching for it.

And just as you would want

nothing but happiness and comfort

for those who have left you,

so too would they want that for you

and so, you must grant it to yourself.

And though there will be many things in your life

that you will forget,

let this not be one of them:

Love does not ever leave with a person.

It has been with you all along.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1700 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Artwork by Lucy Campbell

HEAR THIS BEATING HEART by Joanne Boyle

"HEAR THIS BEATING HEART"
by Joanne Boyle

Today I danced with happiness,

when it called to visit me.

I grasped it with both hands

and pulled it closely.

We moved to the tune of life

as together we both swayed.

We learnt to understand,

what one another played.

Sometimes, my happiness left me.

I'd shout "where have you gone?"

I learnt these days would pass

as it wasn't gone for long.

I would hear it's music playing.

It reminded me of so much.

I told it of my past.

I told it far too much.

It never walked away though.

It accepted all my flaws.

It said "hear this beating heart?

It beats because it's yours.?

******

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1700 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Wednesday 1 May 2024

THE THREE ANGELS by Tahlia Hunter

"THE THREE ANGELS"
by Tahlia Hunter

There are three angels you will meet in your lifetime.

One who will love you,

one who will inspire you,

and one who will appear to love you,

but then break your heart.

And though you will not recognise this third angel,

as when they leave,

they will leave a deep scar that you have to heal,

when you cross over to the other side,

you will discover that

though they may have hurt you in this life,

the secret is that they have always loved you -

they had merely forgotten,

as they were playing a role

to help you heal and reclaim your worthiness

independent of anyone outside of yourself.

And all along, they were an angel in disguise.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1700 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Artwork by Katarína Vavrová Artist

THE MAGIC WAND WITHIN US by Tahlia Hunter

"THE MAGIC WAND WITHIN US"
by Tahlia Hunter

There is a magical wand that lies within you

that has the power to forgive

everyone you ever encounter.

Though useless when used in anger

when used in love,

it is far more powerful than you could ever imagine.

Its magic lies in the wisdom

that when you see yourself as special

and deserving of love,

you see it in everyone you encounter,

no matter who they are or what they have done.

And the secret to forgiving someone

lies in understanding

that the loving version of them

is the true version.

And those who are most difficult to love

are oftentimes those who need it most

as they have forgotten who they are.

And if you can find love for their higher self,

remembering the truth of who they are,

then you will no longer feel pain.

And once you have healed,

the story of how they hurt you

will simply be replaced by the wisdom

that both you and them are loved.

And though they must still face the consequences of their actions

and may never be allowed back into your life,

you deserve to move forward in peace

and experience every joy that life has to offer.

And though you may feel grief or anger now,

you may trust

that once you have let yourself fully process it,

the pain you once felt will be a mere memory

and will eventually be transmuted back to love.

And you may choose to take only the love and the wisdom from your past forward with you

and all else to let go.

This is how you forgive someone:

When you think of them,

simply speak to them, within your mind,

“I love you. I bless you. I send you love.”

Over and again in your mind,

enough times for it to bring you peace.

And then feel that love within you,

until all that is left is love.

And because time doesn’t exist,

even if they have exited your life,

one day they will get to hear what you said

and feel that love you sent them energetically

and be touched by your forgiveness.

This is how

centuries of hatred have been forgotten,

in the love of a second.

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1700 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Artwork by Katarína Vavrová Artist

DEAR SON by Joanne Boyle

"DEAR SON"
by Joanne Boyle

Dear Son, I tried to call your mum

in the hope that she would talk.

It's been so long since I saw you.

I bet you can now walk.

Dear Son, I tried to call your Mum

to wish you a happy second birthday.

I prayed and prayed she'd answer.

The years are slipping away.

Dear Son, I tried to call your Mum

but the phone no longer rings.

I hope Santa Claus is good to you

and I'll hold on to what he brings.

Dear Son, I tried to ring your Mum

but it was just as it was before.

I wanted to wish you a happy birthday

as now you are big boy four.

Dear Son, I tried to write a letter

as I'm now guessing you can read.

I have nowhere to post it

as I've never been given a lead.

Dear Son, I wrote another birthday card.

I have a collection in my drawer.

I hope I see you open them

when you come through my door.

Dear Son, now here you are a teenager.

I bet you are very tall.

Who do you support Son?

That's if you like football.

Dear Son, I got some bad news today.

They say that I'm not well.

I'm going nowhere till I've seen you

as there's so much I want to tell.

Dear Son, today you turn eighteen

and now you are man

I'm holding on to life and hope

and still doing the best I can.

Dear Dad, I've only just been informed

of all the years gone by.

Of every phone call that you made

and of all the times you'd try.

I am sorry for the years we lost

and all those letters in the drawer.

I am sorry I was never told

about these things before.

Dear Son, the years no longer matter

just come and sit beside my bed.

Tell me all about your hopes

and the dreams inside your head.

Tell me about your school

and all the friends you made.

Do you have a girlfriend yet?

Do you have a job were you are paid?

Treat moments like gold stars Son

each one as precious as the other.

Don't hold grudges either

especially toward your Mother.

Dear Dad, I'm so glad I got to meet you

before it was too late.

I put a note in your jacket pocket

for you to read at the pearly gate.

It said "I love you".

******

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1700 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html