THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Wednesday 29 May 2024

SILVER LININGS by Becky Hemsley

"SILVER LININGS"
by Becky Hemsley

When the ocean waves engulf you

And there’s water all around

And when you feel you’re in so deep

You might as well swim down

When the forest’s looming darkly

And you can’t see your way through

When the trees are overbearing

And they’re closing in on you

When every path is dangerous

And treacherous to tread

And you decide to stop

And stay forever lost instead

Well…

I hope the sea is sapphires

That buoy you with their blue

I hope they shine a little

Of their precious light on you

I hope the forest prides itself

On all its emerald leaves

And helps you see your brilliance

Through the darkness of the trees

I hope your paths are gilded

And are lined with golden hues

Where ruby roses grow through grass

That shines with diamond dew

I hope you feel the sunshine

And the warmth that it possesses

I hope you see the way the clouds

Are shining at their edges

‘Cause there’s richness in the darkness,

When you’re lost, beneath the surface

There’s treasure waiting for you

And I promise you it’s worth it

So don’t give up or in

‘Cause pressure builds a precious stone

You’ve everything you need

And you are stronger than you know

So please keep going up and through

Keep walking, swimming, climbing

And keep on searching clouds for silver

Sewn into their linings

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Artwork by Elisa Roelofszen

'Silver Linings' is from 'Letters from Life' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9MZC1...

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WITHOUT YOU by Donna Ashworth

"WITHOUT YOU"
by Donna Ashworth

After all the firsts without you

which came in like wrecking balls

I exhausted my memories of our lasts too

and felt as though a new grief had appeared

no more of these milestones left

so what now?

I thought the now must be without you

until I felt your smile

felt it warm my skin

as your song played out on the radio

and then that proud moment

the one I thought I’d never see

you were there at my shoulder

I knew it

when hard decisions arise

somehow your advice appears

as though you planted it inside me

before you left…

so here I am

greeting the robins you send me

counting the feathers you drop

and the rainbows you draw

realising

there is a new chapter of us

we are not done

it’s different

but it is something

and until we meet again

I will make it enough.

********

~ The 'Without You' by Donna Ashworth

~ Art 'Love Endures' by Gillian Rule Art

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

Tuesday 28 May 2024

SOME BODY by Becky Hemsley

"SOME BODY"
by Becky Hemsley

I’ve teeth that stick out just a little too far

I’ve marks on my body where I’ve gathered scars

I’ve parts of my person that wobble and shake

I’ve imperfect skin on my imperfect face

My hair’s hard to manage - it’s coarse and it’s thick

I’ve stripes on my waist, on my belly and hips

I’ve lines on my forehead and some round my eyes

I’ve dimples and dents that now live on my thighs

And I used to hide, I got used to concealing

I knew all my angles and how I should breathe in

But all of the scars are the times I’ve derailed

And got back on track and lived, telling the tale

The lines on my forehead and those round my eyes

Tell the stories of times that I’ve laughed ‘til I cried

And all of the inches and stripes on my hips

Are from carrying, growing and birthing my kids

My dimply thighs that all wobble and shake

Are the times I’ve said yes to the chocolate and cake

The times I’ve decided a moment means more

Than hiding and shrinking like I’ve done before

See I’m happy and healthy and that is what matters

Not whether I’m scarred for I’m thinner or fatter

‘Cause life is a rollercoaster to ride on

It’s here for us all to enjoy not to hide from

It isn’t a dress size or holiday snap

But moments in time that we’ll never get back

So let’s not spend moments that we can’t replace

Concerned with our bodies, our hair and our face

And let us embrace all the life that we’ve lived

Our bodies are breathing - and that is a gift

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Gorgeous artwork by Anja Andresen Waage My Art Journal

'Some Body' is from What the Wild Replied https://a.co/d/fw5laoL

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

SEEING BUTTERFLIES by Tahlia Hunter

"SEEING BUTTERFLIES"
by Tahlia Hunter

“This is why you are seeing butterflies:

There comes a time in your life,

when you seek support

outside of yourself

and you search for a sign

that you are being watched over,

and you begin to see butterflies everywhere.

And these are your symbol

that there is support that exists for you

beyond what you can see with your eyes

for you have never truly been alone,

but always surrounded by love.

For in the times when you felt alone or abandoned,

you were receiving support from angels,

or from passed on loved ones,

rather than from the physical world.

And if you only knew who walked beside you every moment,

you would never feel afraid or unsupported again.”

********

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by 이정석, @endmion1 (Instagram), #endmion1

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 SUN by Becky Hemsley

"THE SUN"
by Becky Hemsley

The sun wakes up each morning

And she combs her fiery hair

She sometimes holds the clouds aloft

So we don’t see her there

She settles to her work

A never-ending 9 to 5

And ticks off all her jobs to do

Like keeping Earth alive

She’s busy every moment

Working hard behind the scenes

But you tell her she does nothing

For you judge by what you’ve seen

You criticise the grey sky

And you curse the dampened day

You moan it’s cold and dreary

And the sun’s the one to blame

And it’s only when she’s setting

When she’s off to work elsewhere

That you all-a-sudden recognise

The colours in her hair

See, the saddest thing of all

Is that she’s been here all the time

But you’ve failed to see her beauty

‘Til she’s fading from the sky

*****

Becky Hemsley 2019

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by MinaSmoke

This poem is from my first collection

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

LITTLE CUP OF MINFULNESS by Joanne Boyle

"LITTLE CUP OF MINFULNESS"
by Joanne Boyle

I fill my cup with happiness,

and sip it throughout the day.

Each time I start to doubt myself,

I drink it and I say.

"This morning I awoke

with blankets on my bed.

I have clean running water,

and a roof above my head.

I have a family who love me.

Friends who really care.

I have a giving heart

that enables me to share.

I have food in my cupboards.

I am good concerning health.

I have more than so many

and for me, that is wealth.

I have my peace of mind.

A conscience that is clear.

I have a caring husband.

A daughter who is dear.

I have ears to hear laughter,

when the Grandkids play.

I have hope in my heart

that gets me through each day.

I have a coat to keep me warm.

I have shoes on my feet.

I have a home to live in,

that keeps me from the street.

So this little cup of happiness,

is more than meets the eye.

It is a cup of mindfulness,

that says, how lucky am I?"

********

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

DON'T CHASE BUTTERFLIES

"DON'T CHASE BUTTERFLIES" (author unknown)

A Story With A Valuable Lesson.

A young boy asked his grandfather,

"Grandpa, I want to be a star, I want to be in movies. When I grow up, I want to see the world, drive nice cars, and live in a house made of glass. Yes, I really want to be successful and great. So tell me, how do I chase all my goals, and catch them faster?"

The grandfather stopped for a moment, turned around, and then spotted a huge and super beautiful butterfly dancing on a flower. At once, he said,

"Oh, my God! What a magnificent butterfly! Now, hurry... hurry and chase after it! Make sure you catch it! Don't let it fly away! Move!"

The young lad hurriedly ran to the butterfly, but as he tried to take hold of it, the butterfly suddenly flew up into the wind. He ran after it, trying to catch it, but it was flying so fast. He ran around and around the garden until he got tired, and then he could no longer see the butterfly. Panting with loss of breath, he returned to his grandfather, wheezing,

"I couldn't catch it, grandpa! It flew away!"

The grandfather smiled for a moment, then held the young lad by his hand and took him to a corner. He waited until he calmed down, then he whispered into his ear,

"Listen, boy, let me teach you a lesson, a valuable life lesson. If you spend your time chasing butterflies, they'll fly away. But if you spend your time creating a beautiful garden, the butterflies will come to you. You see... that butterfly is like your goals in life. In our journey of success, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of immediate goals, the fleeting butterflies of life. However, the real magic happens when we focus on building something substantial, akin to cultivating a vibrant garden. Instead of relentlessly chasing, channel your energy into creating and nurturing. Build something meaningful, whether it's a project, a skill, or a relationship. The beauty you will cultivate will attract opportunities, experience, and success naturally. So don't chase love, money, or success. Become the best version of yourself and those things will come to you."

I let my stories teach the life lessons.

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

Monday 27 May 2024

THE PREGNANT DEER

"THE PREGNANT DEER" (author unknown

In a forest, a pregnant deer is about to give birth.

She finds a remote grass field near a strong-flowing

river.

This seems a safe place.

Suddenly labour pains begin.

At the same moment, dark clouds gather around

above & lightning starts a forest fire.

She looks to her left & sees a hunter with his bow

extended pointing at her.

To her right, she spots a hungry lion approaching her.

What can the pregnant deer do?

She is in labour!

What will happen?

Will the deer survive?

Will she give birth to a fawn?

Will the fawn survive?

Or will everything be burnt by the forest fire?

Will she perish to the hunters' arrow?

Will she die a horrible death at the hands of the hungry

lion approaching her?

She is constrained by the fire on the one side & the

flowing river on the other & boxed in by her natural

predators.

What does she do?

She focuses on giving birth to a new life.

The sequence of events that follows are:

- Lightning strikes & blinds the hunter.

- He releases the arrow which zips past the deer &

strikes the hungry lion.

- It starts to rain heavily, & the forest fire is slowly

doused by the rain.

- The deer gives birth to a healthy fawn.

In our life too, there are moments of choice when we

are confronted on αll sides with negative thoughts and

possibilities.

Some thoughts are so powerful that they overcome us

& overwhelm us.

Maybe we can learn from the deer.

The priority of the deer, in that given moment, was

simply to give birth to a baby.

The rest was not in her hands & any action or reaction

that changed her focus would have likely resulted in

death or disaster.

Ask yourself,

Where is your focus?

Where is your faith and hope?

In the midst of any storm, do keep it on God always.

He will never ever disappoint you. NEVER.

Remember, GOD neither slumbers nor sleeps.

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