THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday, 30 March 2024

WE ONLY EVER GET JUST THE ONE LIFE

"WE ONLY EVER GET JUST THE ONE LIFE"
(author unknown)

I counted my years and found that I have less time to live from here on than I have lived up to now.

I feel like that child who won a packet of sweets: he ate the first with pleasure, but when he realized that there were few left, he began to enjoy them intensely.

I no longer have time for endless meetings where statutes, rules, procedures and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be achieved.

I no longer have time to support the absurd people who, despite their chronological age, haven't grown up.

My time is too short:

I want the essence,

my soul is in a hurry.

I don't have many sweets

in the package anymore.

I want to live next to human people,

very human,

who know how to laugh at their mistakes,

and who are not inflated by their triumphs,

and who take on their responsibilities.

Thus human dignity is defended and we move towards truth and honesty.

It is the essential that makes life worth living.

I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch hearts, people who have been taught by the hard blows of life to grow with gentle touches of the soul.

Yes, I'm in a hurry, I'm in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.

I don't intend to waste any of the leftover sweets.

I am sure they will be delicious, much more than what I have eaten so far.

My goal is to reach the end satisfied

and at peace with my loved ones

and my conscience.

We have two lives.

And the second begins when you realize you only have one.

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Dancing with yesterday by Joanne Boyle

"Dancing with yesterday" by Joanne Boyle

The hot summer days

and hop scotch at night.

Playing hide and seek

under an old street light.

Dancing with laughter,

to the music of fun.

Playing tag with friends

the chase and run.

Two balls on the wall

as they bounced to a tune.

Keeping with the rhythm

and not a beat too soon.

Our jazz band sticks

all covered with tape.

A tennis ball on the end,

with some tassels to drape.

A game of chequers,

marbles and cats eyes.

An old skipping rope

with so many tries.

A Mother shouting

when it's time to go in.

A sibling hiding

behind the old dustbin.

A bath on a Sunday

before school began.

Deciding who went in first

before it was ran.

Winceyette sheets

under a cotton throw.

A bedside lamp

with a cosy glow.

Caring about everything

yet nothing at all.

Dancing with yesterday

when I was small.

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

HIS PROMISE, THAT SUNDAY IS COMING

"HIS PROMISE, THAT SUNDAY IS COMING"
by (author unknown)

“He received 39 stripes because 40 was known to kill a man. They wanted him alive. They held handfuls of his beard, and hair and pulled it out by the roots. They wanted him alive. They kicked, punched, and spit on him for hours. Until there wasn't a single spot on his body not covered in blood. They wanted him alive. They shoved a crown of thorns down on his head so harshly it stuck in his skin. They wanted him alive. After hours of being beaten, mocked, whipped, flogged, and tortured they made him walk with a cross. They made him carry it. A rough piece of wood with splinters digging into fresh wounds. They wanted him alive. They wanted him to feel every ounce of pain they could bring. He had to feel it in order to heal us. Crucifixion was historically one of the cruellest most tortured deaths a human could face. Hours upon hours of torture. Torture most of us can not mentally think of because the cruelty isn't normal. It isn't something our minds can comprehend. We celebrate Easter with pastel colours, happy children hunting eggs, and chocolate. Truth is there was absolutely nothing happy about the day Jesus died. It was cruel, bloody, and nasty.

He could have stopped all of it. He could have called every angel in heaven to demolish every person standing and shouting "Crucify Him!" He didn't. He knew in order to have a Sunday you have to have a Friday. He knew in order to have joy you have to carry your cross. He felt everything that day. He felt how your heart broke wide open when you had to watch your baby die. He felt how heavy your life was when you were staring down the barrel of a gun wondering if the man you called husband was going to shoot you. He carried the weight of the burden you have felt since your spouse died and life just doesn't seem right since. On that cross he held the rapist and murderers, the sinner and the saint. He levelled every playing field and said ALL of you are worth it. He knew he had to carry the cross. He never promised the cross you carry in this life would not be heavy. His wasn't. His promise is that Sunday is coming.

No matter how burdensome Friday feels—financially, emotionally, mentally, or physically—Friday is burdensome. That cross is weighing you down, and you are on the brink of crumbling under its weight. His promise was simply this. He won't make you carry it alone. What kind of king would step down from his throne for this?

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God did. For you.

He did every bit of it for you and me. Oh yes, it is heavy. So heavy sometimes you do not think you can take one more step. But look up, because Sunday is coming.”

Friday, 29 March 2024

ANGELHEART by Rossela Marie

"ANGELHEART"
by Rossela Marie

I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep.

I spoke to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many things and memories of me.

I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.

I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my hand on you; I smiled and said, "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...

in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning

and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to me.

Written by Rossela Marie

Artwork by Márfy Art, Gabriella Márfy

THE LITTLE GIRL STARTED TO CRY by Joanne Boyle

"THE LITTLE GIRL STARTED TO CRY"
by Joanne Boyle

She waited Patiently for her turn,

to be delivered down to earth.

To bring someone joy and love

by the miracle of her birth.

She had went to God and asked him,

"when will it be my turn?"

God smiled and then he whispered,

"you still have lots to learn."

She never questioned what he meant,

as she knew that she would know,

that when the time was right for her

that God would let her go.

Then one day she felt a movement

as the clouds moved beneath her feet.

Below she saw a couple

that she felt compelled to meet.

At that God touched her on the shoulder.

He said "see those two right there?

They have waited for you for so long

but it wasn't the right time to share."

The little girl started to cry,

and she noticed her new mum was too.

"why is my Mummy crying God?" and he said,

"Because of her longing for you."

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

Thursday, 28 March 2024

OUR THREE MAIN LOVES by Tahlia Hunter

"OUR THREE MAIN LOVES"
by Tahlia Hunter

“There are three main loves in our life

to whom we remain connected

across our lifetime:

Those we love who remain with us,

Those we love who have left us,

And those we love who have yet to arrive.

Though they may enter and exit our life

at differing times,

we remain connected through an energetic cord

to each of these people

who we wish to be connected to

that can only ever be severed by choice.

And in each moment of joy, love, pain, sadness or heartbreak that we ever face,

through this connection,

they remain with us, alongside us,

and at any moment, should we choose to,

we may sense their love.

For though we are our own home in this life,

we are never truly separate from those

who remind us of our true home.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Catrin Welz-Stein

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

Gorgeous artwork by @Anja Andresen Waage My Art Journal

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

THE SEVEN SECRETS by Tahlia Hunter

"THE SEVEN SECRETS"
by by Tahlia Hunter

“Everything you desire to experience lies within you,

and from that place you may draw it forth.

Every compliment you give another

you are also giving yourself.

Every action others take or word they speak

is a reflection of them, not you.

Everything in your life is working in your favour

should you allow it to.

The only permission or validation you ever require

to take positive action in your life is your own.

You don’t need life to unfold in a certain way

in order to feel good inside.

And you get to choose what to take with you on your path

and what to leave behind.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Kate Morgan Art

THE STARS HAVE CALLED YOU HOME by Donna Ashworth

"THE STARS HAVE CALLED YOU HOME"

by Donna Ashworth

The stars have called you home, love.

Up high, so far away.

I think they missed your brilliance,

they just couldn’t let you stay.

You’ve shone that light of yours, love.

on all the lives you touched.

We’ve known your joy for years and years,

I guess they thought ‘enough’.

They need your light up there now.

This world grows ever dark.

Your passion will rain down like love,

dripped into every heart.

The stars have called you home, now

we’ll miss you, every day.

And every night we’ll scour the skies,

to watch you, where you lay.

And when dark clouds are gathering,

and air’s too cold to breathe.

The life you lived will warm our bones,

and your star will help us see. *****

Words by Donna Ashworth

Art by @lucyclaireillustration

Out love to all searching the stars, tonight and every night x