THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday, 22 June 2024

"SHARING SECRETS" by Joanne Boyle

"SHARING SECRETS"
by Joanne Boyle

We shared so many secrets,

I'd listen and you'd tell.

I would lift my paw to yours

when you weren't feeling well.

I would lay beside your feet

so you knew that I was near.

I would make my presence known

when I could sense your fear.

I would bring my favourite toy,

begging you to play.

I just wanted you to focus

for your mind not to stray.

I had noticed that when we walked,

your step no longer bounced

and when you threw my ball

I no longer pounced.

Still, we remained best friends,

your words into my ears

and the tongue I used so often,

to lick away your tears.

Then one day I waited,

but I knew that you were gone,

and I have all the answers,

but a voice, I have none!

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

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 1900 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

"WITHOUT YOU" by Joanne Boyle

"WITHOUT YOU" by Joanne Boyle

I try not to think

about where I would be

without you in my life

being there for me.

You gave me my friend.

You are the best I have had.

Without you I would crumble

each time I am sad.

You taught me that silence

is a peaceful place.

Without you I'd be living

in a lonely space.

You don't pass judgement

when I do things wrong.

Without you I don't believe

I'd be this strong.

You smile when I smile

and your eyes light up.

Without you I'd have

a half empty cup.

You taught me the meaning

behind a love that's true.

Home is wherever

I am with you.

**********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 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

"I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING YOU" by Joanne Boyle

"I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING YOU"
by Joanne Boyle

I looked out at the gardens.

It was a stunning view.

The sun was shining brightly.

It reminded me of you.

How long I had been sat there?

I really didn't know.

My cup was full of tears.

My thirst just wouldn't go.

I watched the flowers dancing.

I turned them into us.

My mind was playing tricks.

Like it often does.

I stared at the shadows.

Comfortable in their presence.

I shared in their stillness.

Lost in their pretence.

My memories came alive

and time would stand still.

The coffee cup I held

would always refill.

But every day you came,

just in another form.

A Robin in the tree top.

Tears from a storm.

Today was a great day.

These days were the best.

When you came as a butterfly

and joined me in my rest.

You drank away my tears,

from the table top.

I knew it was a sign.

You were telling me to stop.

"Stop crying?" I asked?

"Well I can't promise you that,

for I'll miss you forever, and

from wherever I'm sat."

The sun began moving,

Your colours shone bright.

I smiled as I remembered

how you were always right.

I will never stop loving you

or being a part of a WE

So I agreed that I'd look

for another ME.

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 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

"WILD" by Becky Hemsley

"WILD"
by Becky Hemsley

You’re a wildflower darling

You cannot be tamed

They recognise your beauty

Though they do not know your name

You sing a song of sunshine

Befriend butterflies and bees

You dance amongst the grasses

And you sleep beneath the trees

You’re bright but unassuming

You are delicate yet tough

You’re rooted but you’re ready

For when winds of change do come

And they meet you in the forest

And they’ll marvel at the way

You remind them of their childhood

And easy, carefree days

So they’ll make of you a bracelet

And they’ll weave you through their hair

They’ll wish upon your petals

And then blow you to the air

And as they watch you fly

They’ll wish that they could fly like that

They’ll realise that you have a freedom

They have never had

So they’ll pick you for a posy

And they’ll tie you at the stem

So they can take a little bit of freedom

Home with them

But home is where the heart is

And your heart cannot be still

So home for you is not a vase

Upon a windowsill

Remember, you’re a wildflower

Born to ride the wind

To plant your roots on new horizons

Each and every spring

So don’t ignore your wild heart

‘Cause freedom’s what you breathe

See, that is why they love you so -

And why you have to leave

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Stunning artwork by martina_illustrates

‘Wild’ is part of my second collection:

https://a.co/d/89OgoD4

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 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

"PATCHWORK" by Becky Hemsley

"PATCHWORK"

by Becky Hemsley

Your life is like a quilt

And everybody weaves their share

Some weave huge great tapestries

And some weave tiny squares

Some squares bring you laughter

And some will bring you tears

Some are stitched and sewn by those

Who are no longer here

In places there are threads

From people choosing not to stay

And every time you touch these threads

It brings back all the pain

But every little thread

That weaves its joy and pain and fun

Has stitched a quilt together

Of the person you’ve become

And every little tiny part

Has slowly taught you how

To weave your contribution

Into the blanket you have now

So I know there are squares that comfort you

And some that you dislike

But without them all you wouldn’t have

This patchwork of your life

*******

Becky Hemsley 2020

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Artwork by Alexander Babiy

'Patchwork' is from the book Talking to the Wild

https://a.co/d/4I7vHJl

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 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

A FATHER AND HIS DAUGHTER

"A FATHER AND HIS DAUGHTER" (author unknown)

A father sent his little daughter to spend the holidays with family members. When the girl returned home, he asked her.

"So tell me honestly, did you enjoy your holidays?"

She responded.

"Everyone was nice to me apart from Aunty Nancy. She seems too harsh and I have a feeling that she hates me"

He asked.

"Why? What makes you think so?"

The little girl replied.

"Firstly, she doesn't respond to my greetings no matter how many times I greet her. Secondly, there was a day I helped her find her missing watch but she didn't even say 'thank you'. And thirdly, she never interacted with me like others did, and has never spoken to me before. She's so unbelievable"

The father remarked.

"Really? So, what is her reaction when you greet her?"

The girl uttered.

"She would pretend not to notice me"

The father paused for a moment and said.

"I think you're right. Nancy is truly a bad Aunty, and I think she really hates you. So, henceforth, you would try as much as possible to avoid her"

Just then, the father let out a chuckle that surprised her. He touched her arm, and with a smile on his face, he said.

"That was the voice of your mind speaking. Your mind has cooked up all negative stories about your Aunty, making it difficult to realize that she is deaf and dumb. Aunty Nancy is unable to hear or speak, so all your assumptions about her are wrong. That's how our minds are. The mind can be a very convincing liar. It simply makes up stuffs. With little or no evidence, it creates negative stories about the world and ourselves. So you shouldn't believe everything you think. And most importantly, if you can win over your mind forever, you can achieve anything in your life".

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 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

Friday, 21 June 2024

"THE TORTOISE & THE MONKEY" by Prose & Poetry

"THE TORTOISE & THE MONKEY"

by Prose & Poetry

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Nigerian rainforest, there lived a clever tortoise named Tobi. Tobi was known far and wide for his wit and cunning. He could outsmart anyone, be it humans, animals, or even spirits.

One sunny morning, as Tobi basked in the warmth of the sun, he overheard the mischievous monkey, Mazi, boasting about his agility. Mazi swung from tree to tree, showing off his acrobatic skills. "I am the fastest and most agile creature in the forest," declared Mazi, his tail twitching with pride.

Tobi, never one to back down from a challenge, approached Mazi. "Dear friend," he said, "I've heard of your remarkable speed. But can you beat me in a race?"

Mazi laughed heartily. "Tortoise, you're slow and heavy. Racing you would be like racing a rock!"

Tobi smiled. "Let's make a wager," he proposed. "If I win, you'll share your ripest bananas with me. But if you win, I'll give you my prized shell."

Mazi's eyes widened. The tortoise's shell was renowned for its beauty and durability. "Agreed!" he exclaimed. "But don't expect any bananas, Tobi."

The race was set. The entire forest gathered to watch. The starting line was drawn, and the signal was given. Mazi shot forward like an arrow, his long limbs propelling him through the treetops. Tobi, on the other hand, moved deliberately, step by step.

As Mazi reached the halfway point, he glanced back and saw Tobi steadily plodding along. "This is too easy!" he thought, swinging from branch to branch.

But Tobi had a plan. He approached a stream that crossed their path. "Oh, mighty river," he called out, "please lend me your strength."

The river spirit, impressed by Tobi's humility, granted his request. Suddenly, the stream surged, carrying Tobi across in an instant. Mazi, unaware of this, continued racing ahead.

When Mazi finally reached the finish line, he expected to see Tobi far behind. But to his shock, there stood the tortoise, smiling.

"How did you beat me?" Mazi panted, catching his breath.

Tobi chuckled. "You see, my friend, speed alone won't win a race. It's wisdom that triumphs. I used the river's help, for it's not about being the fastest but about being the cleverest."

Mazi hung his head in defeat. "You're right, Tobi. I've learned my lesson."

And so, Tobi enjoyed the ripest bananas from Mazi's stash, while Mazi admired the tortoise's beautiful shell.

The moral of the story? In life's race, it's not always the swift who win; sometimes, it's the clever and resourceful who emerge victorious.

I hope you enjoyed this fable!

*********

by Prose And Poetry

Digital Art by Chigbo Douglas

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 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