THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Monday 13 May 2024

EMBERS AND KEYS by Becky Hemsley

"EMBERS AND KEYS"
by Becky Hemsley

When I am older

I might not remember

I might get confused

And I might lose my temper

And there may be times

When I don’t know your name

Because it’s been trapped,

Locked away in my brain

And though it will hurt

To think I could forget you

Offer me smiles,

Hold my hand if I’ll let you

And talk of adventures

We had long ago

Show me the photos

Of people I know

Play music we’ve danced to

And songs we have sung

Read me the books I read

When I was young

‘Cause your voice and your words

Might just be the key

That opens the door -

That unlocks it for me

And maybe the music

Will spark tiny embers

Of memories dormant

And I will remember

Your name and your face

And the words to our song

The times and the places

To which I’ve belonged

And it might last moments

Or minutes or more

As the fire sheds light

Through the crack in the door

But when the door closes

And gone are the flames

When you are once more

A stranger again

Just know you’ll have stirred something

Deep down inside

Something familiar

That I recognise

Something that’s real

That’s not stored in my head

But right at the core

Of my heart space instead

Something that’s stirred

By your smiles and your stories

The touch of your hand

And the songs you sing for me

And though I’ll have no words to tell you

Just trust

That deep down inside

I’ll remember

I’m loved

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022 https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by Lisa Aisato

Today marks the start of Dementia Action Week - an annual campaign run by Alzheimer's Society to raise awareness of ways we can work together to take action on dementia.

This poem is called "Embers and Keys" and is in the book 'Letters from Life' https://a.co/d/17LrMHGiww

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

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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

Sunday 12 May 2024

I Was The Child (Song) by Chris Baines

"I Was The Child" (Song) by Chris Baines

I was the child who would lie on his back

And wave to the trees and the trees waved back.

Long days in the sun.

I was the boy with his jar and net

Who brought tadpoles home with his clothes all wet.

Nature was fun.

I was the lad who was far too tough

To be caught enjoying this nature stuff,

All kaftans and rice.

I was the youth who enjoyed the thrill

Of discovering Man has the power to kill.

Not very nice.

We all need the trees,

And the birds and the bees,

And the frogs and the flowers

And the choice can be ours.

But we're taking too long

To decide what it's worth,

Remember we've borrowed the Earth.

Of course there were times when the truth broke through

With the setting sun or a sparkling dew

Beautiful sight.

And now I'm a man I'm happy to cry

When the swifts return to my favourite sky.

Screaming in flight.

When I'm an old man with time to spare

How much of my wildlife will still be there?

It's vanishing fast.

Will there still be larks in the summer sky

And returning swifts to make me cry?

How long will they last?

We all need the trees,

And the birds and the bees,

And the frogs and the flowers

And the choice can be ours.

But we're taking too long

To decide what it's worth,

Remember we've borrowed the Earth.

********

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

Art by Lisi Martin

THIS IS FOR THE MEN WHO

"THIS IS FOR THE MEN WHO"
(author unknown)

This is for the men who give a damn.

The men who show up without being asked, who stay up even when they’re exhausted; the men who put the seat back down when they’re finished.

The men who have fierce respect for their mothers, and wouldn’t be caught dead having her do their laundry - or paying their bills.

This is for the men who know that choosing a strong woman full of magic can sometimes mean choosing a challenging life but they do it anyway, because there is no greater gift than to partner with a daring, courageous heart.

The men who believe in inspiration as well as integrity.

The men who tell their friends, their family, and their children that no one will disrespect their partner.

The men who can love with great power - and great vulnerability.

Who aren’t afraid to take off their clothes in front of a woman and be naked, in body and in soul; who can stand and take in their partner and say “we are perfect together”.

The men who believe that starting the conversation is the gateway to everything. Who would rather disappear alone to the mountains than sit at a bar or in front of a television.

The men who see with their souls and not just their eyes.

For the men who can stand in the uncomfortable places, and be asked the hard questions, and not run away or turn to bullying and name-calling.

The ones who are willing to say a resounding ‘”no” to sexism, racism, and hate while standing in a circle of their peers.

For the men who give up what society says is normal to support a woman while she climbs the ladder or launches a business and takes care of the children and do the dishes - because being a partner is more important than being a breadwinner.

This is for the men who believe in serving something greater than themselves.

This is for the men who were born to create things - and refuse to be silenced. They create because they must; with their minds, their hands and their words.

Who are warriors for love.

This is for the men who believe in imagination and dance parties in the living room.

For the men who believe in hard work and harder play: in relationships, in parenting, in business, and in the bedroom.

This is for the men who aren’t afraid to create something from nothing and go wildly in a new direction where there are no guarantees - except that of a great adventure.

This is for the men who give all the damns

The men who are loving strong, living fully, and daring greatly.

May we know them. May we raise them. May you be one.

The world needs more of these men.

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

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY by Becky Hemsley

"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY"
by Becky Hemsley

I learned from my mother

That women are strong

That life can be difficult

But we go on

She taught to be soft

On those finding life hard

To help protect those

Who’ve already been scarred

To work when I need to

But otherwise play

That night time’s for dreaming

But so is the day

To be gentle with those

Who are tough on themselves

To share out my love

But save some for myself

To stand up to those

Who would walk over me

To hold up my head

When I’m down and feel weak

To only apologise

When I am wrong

To know that there’s always

A place I belong

To trust in my future

And treasure my past

To smash it each time

That the ceiling is glass

To find the lessons

In relationships lost

Because some things in life

Are not worth what they cost

But what she taught most

About life and of worth

Was that it is only

The best I deserve

And maybe your mother

Has taught you the same

But if she has not

Well, then I’m here today

To say that you too

Deserve only the best

To live out the life

That exists in your head

To find your own strength

And to dream and stand tall

To trust you might fly

When you think you could fall

So never stop dreaming

And never give up

Because, I have learned

We're all worthy of love

********

Happy Mother's Day to all who find it a happy day xx

Becky Hemsley

Lovely artwork by Kürti Andrea

This poem is from my second collection here (although I adapted the ending very slightly for today 12/5/2024 Mother's Day USA)

https://a.co/d/alTSVTZ

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

Saturday 11 May 2024

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME by Joanne Boyle

"I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME"
by Joanne Boyle

I sang a million love songs

as I sat underneath the stars.

Remembering how we danced

as I tried to disguise my scars.

I went back to a memory.

I smile but it doesn't last.

The realisation of the present

Is quick to take the past.

I had so many conversations,

with the darkness of the night.

I asked it why I can't be with you?

and why did it steal the light?

Darkness did not answer me

but the light had found a way.

A shining star had fallen

and I am sure I heard it say.

"The darkness is not a place

I entered whilst on earth,

so why am I now living there?

Have you forgotten my worth?

I loved living in the moment,

to laugh and have some fun.

So say goodbye to the darkness

and hello to the shining sun.

I know how much you miss me.

but I never went that far.

I am your every emotion.

I am everything you are."

I looked at the fallen star

and saw night had turned to day.

I put it in my heart

so it will always light the way.

********

Author 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

IT MEANS by Frederick Buechner

"IT MEANS"
by Frederick Buechner

"When you remember me,

it means that you have carried

something of who I am with you,

that I have left some mark

of who I am on who you are.

It means that you can summon me

back to your mind even though

countless years and miles may stand

between us.

It means that if we meet again,

you will know me.

It means that even after I die,

you can still see my face

and hear my voice

and speak to me in your heart.

For as long as you remember me,

I am never entirely lost."

********

Words by Frederick Buechner

Artwork by Kat Fedora Artist

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-
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

THE OLD GOOD SAMARITAN

"THE OLD GOOD SAMARITAN"
(author unknown)

"I am the single mother of four absolutely beautiful little girls. They are 9, 5, 2, and 6 weeks. And things have been particularly rough since my ex left.

My truck had a flat I constantly had to air up. The driver-side window motor died. And I needed a new alternator belt. The truck was a mess. And we didn't drive anywhere unless we had to.

Well, the other day we desperately needed to go to the store. So we loaded up and drove to the Winn Dixie about 9 blocks away.

When we got out of the store it was far after dark. And POURING rain.

I loaded my kids and groceries into the truck. Tried to crank it...... Nothing. No click. Nothing.

One of my girls had accidentally left a light on. My battery was dead. My phone was also disconnected. I had no family to speak of and was on my own.

I got out and opened my hood to be sure my battery hadn't come loose. Nope.

I must have asked more than twenty people in two hours for a jump. They all ignored me. Not even a no. Just acted like I didn't exist.

My 5 Year old was melting down. My new born SCREAMING, my two-year-old crying she was hungry, and my oldest desperately trying to help.

I was bawling and felt like the worst Mom ever.

Then I got a knock on the passenger window. An older gentleman (he was 74) with a cane and a bad limp was on the other side of that knock.

I opened the door. He handed me a plate of chicken strips and biscuits from the deli and bottles of water.

'Feed those babies and yourself young lady. I have a tow truck on the way and my wife will be here shortly to take y'all home.'

Sure enough, she arrived followed by the tow truck. We and our truck were taken home.

The next morning the gentleman returned to my house with a mechanic who replaced my battery and alternator and fixed my window.

The elderly gentleman then left and did not return. When I asked what I owed the mechanic and if I could make payments he smiled telling me the older man had paid for all of it.

He said that the only payment the older man wanted was for me to never give up and keep being an amazing mom.

I've never cried so hard in my life. Things had been absolutely awful. More so than I care to explain.

And without knowing us or our situation this kind man helped us in ways he will never know.

What he did revived my faith when I was falling apart. But he wouldn't even take a hug.

I'll never be able to thank him. But I certainly hope one day I can do what he did for me for someone else."

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