THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Friday, 10 May 2024

THE CELEBRATION by Joanne Boyle

"THE CELEBRATION"
by Joanne Boyle

She pushed those balloons to the sky

as she shouted, "I am here, this is I."

She raised her head with her worth

This child so proud of her birth.

She strutted her stuff back and forth

as she had travelled both South and North.

Today she was given the best news.

In fact it had come on twos.

All of the tears her family had cried.

All of the times she knew they had lied.

She knew that they had been afraid too

and were scared she didn't come through.

All of those years of treatment and pain

were now never to return again.

Today she had got the all clear

and jumped like everyone near.

Today was her greatest birthday ever

a one she would always treasure.

So she pushed those balloons to the sky

and shouted "I am here, this is I."

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt art by Steffi Krenzek

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Jessica and Charlotte Meet Thistle the Flower Fairy by John A Elliott 2024

"Jessica and Charlotte Meet Thistle the Flower Fairy"

by John A Elliott 2024

Once upon a sunny summer's day in the quaint town of Mansfield, two sisters, Jessica and Charlotte, embarked on an adventure that would forever change their view of the little garden behind their cottage. The garden was their sanctuary, a place where roses bloomed with abandon and the air was always filled with the sweet fragrance of jasmine.

The old oak tree, gnarled and wise, stood guard beside the little pond, its branches whispering secrets of the ages. It was here, in the shade of this ancient sentinel, that the sisters discovered the extraordinary, a flower fairy, delicate and radiant, with wings that shimmered like dewdrops in the morning sun.

The fairy's name was Thistle, and she was the guardian of all the blooms in the garden. She told the sisters that she had watched over them since they were babes, giggling in their cribs. Thistle spoke of her life within the hollow of the oak tree, how she nurtured every seedling and petal with her magic.

Jessica and Charlotte listened, enraptured by Thistle's tales of moonlit dances and starry night flights. They learned that fairies were the weavers of nature's beauty, the caretakers of all things green and growing.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Thistle bestowed upon the sisters a gift, a single seed each. She instructed them to plant these seeds with care and love, promising that the flowers that would bloom would be unlike any other in the world.

The sisters planted their seeds at the base of the old oak tree, and as days turned to weeks, they watched in wonder as the flowers grew, their petals unfolding to reveal colours so vivid and patterns so intricate that they knew Thistle's magic had touched them.

From that day forward, Jessica and Charlotte tended to their garden with even greater joy, knowing that in the whisper of the leaves and the ripple of the pond, the magic of Thistle, the flower fairy, would always be with them, a reminder of the beauty and mystery that lies just beyond the ordinary, waiting to be discovered.

And so, the story of Jessica, Charlotte, and their flower fairy friend became a cherished tale, passed down through generations, of the summer day when magic bloomed in the heart of their little garden.

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MRS HEARTFELT by Joanne Boyle

"MRS HEARTFELT"
by Joanne Boyle

Once upon a time

where magic has no end.

A place hatred doesn't live,

and everyone's your friend.

Where prince charming was born

and money grows on trees.

Where frogs are loved for minds,

and our worth is found from peas.

Where ducklings become swans,

from believing in one's self.

Tom Thumb and Thumbelina,

are not left upon the shelf.

The Emperor was not scorned upon

for the clothes he did not wear.

Rapunzel's tower was her palace.

Her ladders were her hair.

Jack that loved his Mother

still walks the streets today.

Gulliver goes on his travels,

a new adventure every day.

Mrs Heartfelt lived a dream

to always give a smile.

Remember that a life

is to make it all worthwhile.

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt art by Steffi Krenzek

"Heartfelt" A collection of poems written from the heart https://amzn.eu/d/bm4eedB

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MOTHER'S DAY WITHOUT YOU by Becky Hemsley 2024

"MOTHER'S DAY WITHOUT YOU"
by Becky Hemsley 2024

Mother’s Day without your mum

is to be painfully reminded of the scar across your soul.

The scar that sits where a part of you is missing.

Because when she left, something within you broke and left too.

You were part of her and she was part of you.

But this means that whilst a piece of you left with her,

precious pieces of her also stayed behind with you.

And if you look for her, you will see her. Everywhere.

In the way your nose crinkles when you smile.

In the sound of your voice when you laugh.

In the way you treasure those you love.

In the way you share your passions.

In your kindness.

So, though your mother may not walk beside you on this Earth right now, know that she is still here.

She lives on. In you.

Because love lives on.

You are still part of her and she is still part of you.

She is still your mother and you are still her child.

And that scar is a reminder of what it is to love and be loved. It is a reminder that the legacy of great love is great grief.

Yet grief is hard.

So when it feels almost impossibly painful,

you must love yourself harder still.

You must give yourself great love.

Just the way your mother

always did.

*****

Becky Hemsley 2024

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by Grace J. Kim

Sending my love to anyone missing their mum in the lead up to Mother's Day

#mothersday

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DAYS OUT WITH THE SUN by Joanne Boyle

"DAYS OUT WITH THE SUN"
by Joanne Boyle

Today I wore my best hat.

I had a meeting with the sun.

I wanted to discuss my past,

when days were filled with fun.

We arranged to meet at morning,

so we would have all day.

I didn't want a time limit

on what i had to say.

I wanted to tell him about my childhood

and summer breaks from school.

About playing outside with others

and splashing in a pool.

I wanted to remember my siblings

and days out with our Nan.

She would get us fishing nets

and make us a paper fan.

Trips out to the beach .

Picnics in the park.

Mam shouting out the window

to come in before it's dark.

I thought if I tell the sun if this

then it will remember too

and maybe he will come out more

Just like it used to do.

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

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YOU ARE MY LIFE by Mehendi Guha Roy

"YOU ARE MY LIFE"

by Mehendi Guha Roy

“Can I ask you something?”, I was over the phone with my husband.

“Sure. Go for it.”, I somehow knew that at that moment he kept everything at halt just to hear me out that time.

“Okay, so if I ask you to define what I mean to you in one word, what would your answer be?”, I asked as he waited on the other side of the line.

“Life.”, the impromptu tone of him, was just the qualifying margin.

“You are my life.”, he added

“Explain.”, I was curious to know more

“What to explain? I already said, you are my life. How can I explain that?”, he thought he was suppose to say something else and he messed it up.

“Easy, love. I just want to know, why do you feel like that?”, I was trying my best to calm him down.

“Like, it happened a long back that after every small or big fight we had, I deliberately tried my egoistic side to win the battle, but somehow I found it really hard to wait for when you would ping me up. I hate the thought of losing you. I just wanted to hold you near to me. I would go through our chat history, snaps, your voice notes, and wonder why did I feel that ache in my heart, then I remembered because it didn’t had you at that time in it. I was all in my senses as I lost my battle bit by bit everyday, as I happily grew each day with you. That’s how I know you are my life. I don’t know how to survive seconds without you, and trust me I would give up everything to never have that feeling. I Love You Baby. Stay for the lifetime.”, saying this he gave a peck on the screen as if he could feel her forehead in between his lips.

********

Mehendi Guha Roy

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Thursday, 9 May 2024

THE BLIND BABY ZEBRA & THE CHEETAH FAMILY

"THE BLIND BABY ZEBRA & THE CHEETAH FAMILY" (author unknown)

There was a mother zebra that had a blind child. She was very sad all the time, because her child couldn't see the world for himself. It broke her heart, and made her cry.

One day, the mother zebra accompanied her blind foal to the river to drink water. As they walked through the forest, they came across a mother cheetah and her three cubs sitting under a tree. The mother cheetah suddenly burst into a shout of laughter. She laughed so uproariously that her cubs began to laugh too. They didn't stop, their laughter sounded horrible and mocking.

At once, it occurred to the mother zebra that the cheetah and her cubs were teasing and making fun of her blind child. She felt hurt and angry, and finally wept in silence as they walked away.

The following day, the same thing happened, and it kept on happening. Each time the zebra and her blind foal passed by, the mother cheetah and her cubs roared with scornful laughter. They always seemed to be whispering mean and hurtful things, and then laughing about it.

Upon returning home one day, the mother zebra became depressed, and felt unable to cope. She then said to her foal,

"The cheetah and her cubs are evil and wicked. They will stop at nothing to humiliate you. I will no longer take you to the river, but I will always bring you water to drink. No one in going to insult you if you're hiding in the house."

After that day, the mother zebra would always go to the river all alone. And after drinking, she would head home with some water for her foul. But in spite of that, the cheetahs didn't stop laughing and laughing whenever she passed by. Their annoying laughter soon got her so angry and impatient that she decided to fight back.

Burning with rage, she stormed at them and yelled,

"You wicked cheetahs! I won't take this anymore! I have stopped bringing my blind child to the river because of your heartless behaviours! Stop laughing at us, or you'll have me to deal with!"

Upon hearing that, the mother cheetah gave the mother zebra a confused look. She didn't seem to understand what she said. After a long pause, she finally spoke,

"Wait a minute... I guess you're misunderstanding things, mama zebra. The truth is, we have never made mockery of you or your blind child. It's just your assumption. Let me tell you something; you have only one blind child, but I've got three blind children, so there's no point mocking you. Now, about our laughter... we always laugh so loud because we are happy, and I tell them jokes all the time. So my dear, I've got much more problems to even notice yours."

Many times in life, we become consumed with anger and sadness because we assume things that are not entirely true. Sometimes... we see things and we misunderstand. Taking things personally causes us much pain and suffering. And the main reason why we take things personally is because we make assumptions. We often make the assumption that someone else’s action is about us. However, if we pause a moment and look hard into things, we'd realise that most times, people are too busy with themselves that they rarely pay attention to us, let alone criticize us. Everyone's got their own vulnerabilities and challenges. So, instead of making assumptions, we should learn to ask questions. Most importantly, we should dream big and never be afraid of chasing our dreams, no matter what our assumptions in life are."

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THE RABBIT, A BEER & THE HAM & CHEESE TOASTIE

"THE RABBIT, A BEER & THE HAM & CHEESE TOASTIE"
(author unknown)

A rabbit walks into a pub and says to the barman,

'Can I have a pint of beer, and a Ham and Cheese Toastie?'

The barman is amazed, but gives the rabbit a pint of beer and a ham and cheese toastie.

The rabbit drinks the beer and eats the toastie. He then leaves.

The following night the rabbit returns and again asks for a pint of beer, and a Ham and Cheese Toastie.

The barman, now intrigued by the rabbit and the extra drinkers in the pub, (because word gets round), gives the rabbit the pint and the Toastie. The rabbit consumes them and leaves.

The next night, the pub is packed.

In walks the rabbit and says, 'A pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie, please barman.'

The crowd is hushed as the barman gives the rabbit his pint and toastie, and then burst into applause as the rabbit wolfs them down.

The next night there is standing room only in the pub.

Coaches have been laid on for the crowds of patrons attending.

The barman is making more money in one week than he did all last year

In walks the rabbit and says, 'A pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie, please barman.'

The barman says, 'I'm sorry rabbit, old mate, old mucker, but we are right out of them Ham and Cheese Toasties.'

The rabbit looks aghast.

The crowd has quietened to almost a whisper, when the barman clears his throat nervously and says,

'We do have a very nice Cheese and Onion Toastie.

The rabbit looks him in the eye and says, 'Are you sure I will like it.'

The crowd's bated breath is ear shatteringly silent.

The barman, with a roguish smile says, 'Do you think that I would let down one of my best friends. I know you'll love it.'

'Ok,' says the rabbit, 'I'll have a pint of beer and a Cheese and Onion Toastie.'

The pub erupts with glee as the rabbit quaffs the beer and guzzles the toastie.

He then waves to the crowd and leaves....

NEVER TO RETURN!!!!!!

One year later, in the now impoverished public house, the barman, (who has only served 4 drinks tonight, 3 of which were his), calls time.

When he is cleaning down the now empty bar, he sees a small white form, floating above the bar.

The barman says, 'Who are you?

To which he is answered,

'I am the ghost of the rabbit that used to frequent your public house.'

The barman says, 'I remember you. You made me famous.

You would come in every night and have a pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie. Masses came to see you and this place was famous.'

The rabbit says, 'Yes I know.'

The barman said, 'I remember, on your last night we didn't have any Ham and Cheese Toasties. You had a Cheese and Onion one instead.'

The rabbit said, 'Yes, you promised me that I would love it.'

The barman said, 'You never came back, what happened?'

'I DIED', said the rabbit.

'NO!' said the barman. 'What from?'

After a short pause, the rabbit said ...

'Mixin-me-toasties....

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