BEATING HEART

BEATING HEART
"Many a beating heart is silenced by the tyranny of indifference." ~Michael Faudet

THE PUREST PLACE

THE PUREST PLACE
"Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart… where your hope lives. You’ll find your way again.” ~Everwood (Trust Your Journey)

The Bible says

"a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth."

12 January 2023

Make IT Worth

By Donna Ashworth

Make peace with your body today my friend, 
for it has toiled for many years just to keep you alive.
It has grown, weathered virus and disease, 
healed countless wounds and fought many unseen battles, to keep your soul intact for its journey through this life.

Yes it has changed but it has been changing since the day you were born.
And it will continue to change until the day you die.
Make peace with this.

Striving against this change, is like trying to blow away the wind. Futile, pointless, misery-making.
Your body has served you well and done so with your daily hate and disapproval.

It has suffered years of daily, hourly negativity, pulsing its way from your brain to your cells…
Not good enough, not attractive enough, not perfect.
And every day you thought it wasn’t perfect, it really, truly was.

It was keeping you alive, supporting your rash decisions, counteracting your foolish mistakes, doing everything in its power to stay in the game.
For you.

Make peace with your body today, my friend, say your apologies, right your wrongs and move on with appreciation.
You are blessed.

Look around you, not everyone is so blessed.
Not every one is breathing, walking, thriving.
And whilst you are looking around, see that nobody is perfect. The way a body looks, says nothing about its strength, its longevity, its endurance.

This is not a rehearsal, this is your one shot at a life well-lived.

Make it count  <3

Donna Ashworth

Lost in Translation

By Denia Claret 



Lost in Translation
By: Denia A. Claret

Symphony of language, 
A tool for communicating,

The connectivity we are seeking, 
The reflections, a sight so touching. 

The paradox of human existence, 
A journey seeking a destination and destiny 

Words have hidden dimensions of depths,
As language has its bewitching charm and speech. 

Within its infinity and total contingency,
The mystical, luminiscent state of active passivity. 

Copyright @ Denia Claret 
011220

THE NEW YEAR PRELUDE

By Joanna Svensson



THE NEW YEAR PRELUDE

I have a peculiar feeling
When I hear THE new year prelude
Deprived of it's evil Shadows
That did darken THE beginning of last year

Everything is now like blown away
On the ebonies and ivories
Cause THE ebonies and ivories
Are newly polished
Beaming nicely towards THE new horizon

I feel so pure
I feel so free
All of my thoughts
And all of my words
Have gained new colors
Have gained new life

Even My old computer
Has awakened once again
And now with all it's Keys newly polished 
Ready ro write once again

Oj, what a wonderful feeling
Watching myself in My Mirror
My Mirror - THE Mirror of My life

I feel so pure and intouchable 
Cause whatever I've accomplished
I can only Thank myself

I'm in No sept of gratitude
Not to noone - not No how

And I want to thank life
For being WHO I am
I don't regret helping so mamy out
In so many unselfish ways
Although I was badly cheated
By some of those I trusted THE most

Still I want to thank life
For letting me become WHO I am
So now when I hear
THE prelude of the new year
I Sense a strong strong feeling
That everything Will turn out well once more
Att least it Will for me!

©® Joanna Svensson
©®Private picture: Joanna Svensson

The Undertaker’s Horse

By Rudyard Kipling
1865-1936


The eldest son bestrides him,
And the pretty daughter rides him,
And I meet him oft o’ mornings on the Course;
And there kindles in my bosom
An emotion chill and gruesome
As I canter past the Undertaker’s Horse.

Neither shies he nor is restive,
But a hideously suggestive
Trot, professional and placid, he affects;
And the cadence of his hoof-beats
To my mind this grim reproof beats: —
‘Mend your pace, my friend, I’m coming. Who’s the next?’

Ah! stud-bred of ill-omen,
I have watched the strongest go — men
Of pith and might and muscle — at your heels,
Down the plantain-bordered highway,
(Heaven send it ne’er be my way!)
In a lacquered box and jetty upon wheels.

Answer, sombre beast and dreary,
Where is Brown, the young, the cheery,
Smith, the pride of all his friends and half the Force?
You were at that last dread dak
We must cover at a walk,
Bring them back to me, O Undertaker’s Horse!

With your mane unhogged and flowing,
And your curious way of going,
And that businesslike black crimping of your tail,
E’en with Beauty on your back, Sir,
Pacing as a lady’s hack, Sir,
What wonder when I meet you I turn pale?

It may be you wait your time, Beast,
Till I write my last bad rhyme, Beast —
Quit the sunlight, cut the rhyming, drop the glass —
Follow after with the others,
Where some dusky heathen smothers
Us with marigolds in lieu of English grass.

Or, perchance, in years to follow,
I shall watch your plump sides hollow,
See Carnifex (gone lame) become a corse —
See old age at last o’erpower you,
And the Station Pack devour you,
I shall chuckle then, O Undertaker’s Horse!

But to insult, jibe, and quest, I’ve
Still the hideously suggestive
Trot that hammers out the unrelenting text,
And I hear it hard behind me
In what place soe’er I find me: —
”Sure to catch you sooner or later. Who’s the next?’

Source: Equinest 

9 January 2023

MY CHERUBS THREE

By Leah C Dancel



MY CHERUBS THREE

Oh these cherubs addition
My adorable, cuddly cherubs
Lola's arms are very long
To stretch them from the miles
So I could reach you in my heart.
I'll never tire loving you
no matter how far you are!
I'll swoop you with my strong wings;
and scoop you three 
with tender loving care
 and gently kiss you sweet.
Thánk you for filling my life
You're my treasured gifts 
sent from heaven above
wrapped in miracles of love.

©Leah C Dancel
Copyright © 9 January 2023
Glenfield-Australia 

6 January 2023

MEMORIES

By Gus Perez Amio
January 6, 2023



Memories are like images, 
they just fade away 
into sheer oblivion 
and blown away 
like dust in the wind. 

At times, they come into grips, 
like shattered bits and pieces 
in some blurred and indistinct dreams, but some cling on tenaciously, 
like barnacles, haunting, lingering, never letting go till the end.

ILA Member Poet

5 January 2023

MY FAVOURITE BOOK

By Myr Reyes E. Tejada


My love is my favourite book
Thoughts are expressed each time he moves
I love reading all of his moods
Absorb the feelings conveyed by his looks.

Words of wisdom are inked in his ways
Excitement is mirrored in his face
Thrilling emotions shine in his eyes
Rainbows appear every time he smiles.

I’m in awe of him as a character
Plot highlights shimmer when we’re together
Core conflicts arise in our lovers’ quarrel
We could resolve as in a fairy tale. 

His sweetly smiling face is in the cover
His name in the title page appears
Our home is the setting, nowhere better
Prologue and epilogue, all souvenirs.

© Myr Reyes E. Tejada
Philippines
04/01/2023
Photo from the Net


NINETTE

ILA Poetry Challenge 2022


NINETTE
(Nine Lines Poetry)

Gusts
of winds
coming from
the southern alps
portends niveous
season of chills
and cold snap,
gelid
days.

©Leah C. Dancel
Copyright©January 6, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-Australia
ILA Magazine
#Ninette
#WOW_gelid

Photo:Southern Germany
Delia Dancel 2020




1 January 2023

SUNRISE

By Estelle Cortes

Photo by Estelle Cortes Pimentel 
December 31, 2022

A fitting end to Circa 2022- chasing sunrise with friends last Dec 31st, 2022.

Every sunrise,
Every sunset,
Is unspoken poetry of the Divine,
Made more magical 
By the presence of friends,
Made more meaningful
By shared laughter and memories,
Each a piece of the kaleidoscope,
Beautiful threads sewn into the tapestry
Of my life,
All valuable pieces, 
All magical threads,
My blanket of comfort 
On lonesome times.

~Estelle~
01012023
(Untitled/unedited)

©️Estelle Cortes Pimentel
All Rights Reserved

ORCHID and a CAKE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
(A dedication to Raquel Waga)
By Leah C Dancel

Orchid from Estelle Cortes
Cake from Leah C Dancel
August 16, 2022

Orchid and a cake,
are gifts of love from us; 
bestrewed with golden dust
from Tinkerbell's tiny hands
while she stravages
through the tranquil Sylvan way;
seeking pixies of her own specie.

In creamy verdant coating
and soft smothering kuchen;
The baker makes it even more
delightful, a lambient treat 
for the birthday celebrant.

An authentic creative vessel
that holds this exotic orchid,
matches the deity's beauty
deserving for her kindred spirit.

Take this token of love
From your friends afar
Wishing you a mileage of
long, happy and healthy life,
and a fruitful journey
all through the years!

Many Happy Returns of the Day!!!

© Leah C Dancel
Copyright © August 16, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#raquelwaga
#birthdaywishes
#family
#friends

31 December 2022

HOME, MY HOME

By Leah C Dancel



HOME,  MY HOME

How I longed to belong
To someone, someplace, somewhere
In my heart where I can sing a song
Of longings that my soul can sweetly render
Free from all sad mem'ries, none to remember
The place is home to many strangers:
A land they fondly called Down Under!

Here in my new home that overflows with milk and honey
There's abundance of wealth that nature blessed
Hard toil and perseverance do make dreams come into reality
Big and small, whatever it takes, are worthy to be praised
Resilience fuelled by determination is cautiously addressed.
Take a fair dinkum shot and you'll be right
Heed to your inner voice and do things right.

Home is where I hide away 
From all the mundanes of this troubled world
To rest whenever I feel weary
To mind my own cares and forget the old
Worries that I'd let loose from my hold
This is my home, that which is void of trappings
It's a home nonetheless, my home, sweet home: Forever will be!

©Leah C. Dancel
Copyright©January 1, 2022
All rights reserved
First Poem 2022
#home 
#downunder

FAREWELL

Lifted from FB


Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2023 🎆🎈 

FAREWELL 

You bid farewell in a shriek 
A bitter feeling and sentiment
But to its departure
You sing the very HAPPY NEW YEAR
Among the most shimmering 
Moment of your flashing heart
You freshen and wheeze within 
A string of feelings
Waves beyond your drowning 
Horizon felt and you once smell 
The best reflection of those beckon 
And the withered those veiled landscapes 
A sweet recollection slowly springs 
In the last glimpse of your memoirs
It’s bygone 
Big guts brew
In the spree you not stumble somewhere
Gently, as you ponder yesterday
A rejuvenation, be it
In your sound presence
Rejoice-be sprouted in your maiden 
With full of curiosity
Delighting the year 
Merged with mirth
You could ever portray 
Happiness sprinkles
Over those overwhelming within
You have ever felt
A full of pomp and splendor
Shall but adhere in your rhythm
Looking for new moments
A worth living and 
A complete meaning

(C) Hum Ale

THE PASSERSBY

December 31, 2022

The Passersby
By Epimaco Densing III 

Every single day
As the sun rises
Encounters we have
With assorted people, sweet and joyful
Some may be true
Others will make you blue
No choice, you'll be together
'Til the sunlight's vitamin D
Disappears altogether

As the mid-day emerges
Like passersby they're gone
The truer ones stay but not
Every moment of the day
Then a new set will arrive
Some will treat you wrong
While others will make you strong
Times there will
Only rumors they want
But most will listen
As true friends will bear

When evening arrives
Some people in the day
Re-appears in the night, unexpectedly
Under the moonlight
With you they'll twit
As the darkness passes
A new dawn breaks
The passersby return
Renewed with unwavering faith.

28 December 2022

DUST of SNOW

Lifted from Snowwolfs Woodland Nook



Dust of Snow
By Robert Frost

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued

Artist Maggie Vandewalle

24 December 2022

Feelings and Emotions

By Sufi



FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS by Sufi

"Only with TIME do we realise the importance of LOVE"

Once upon a time all Feelings and Emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was to have a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island. 

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty. 

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realized it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope. 

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, 'Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?"

No', replied Prosperity, 'my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.'

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, 'Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a life. Please take me with you.'

Vanity responded haughtily, 'No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.'

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. 'No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.'

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone. 

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, 'Come Love, I will take you with me.' 

Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place. 

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled Love inquired, 'Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?'

Knowledge smiled, 'Oh, that was Time.'

'And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?' Love wondered. 

Knowledge smiled with deep Wisdom and replied, 'Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring Peace and great Happiness in this world. 
~~~~
The important message of this Sufi story is that when we feel important, we forget Love. Even in Happiness and Sorrow we forget Love. Only with Time do we realize the importance of Love. So, why wait that long? Why not make Love a part of our life today?

Photo: Short voyage to Guimaras Island with Precy Bierbaum, December 12, 2019

22 December 2022

SILENCE

By Caroline Dancel-Garcia

Silence
A moment of silence fills my heart with your love
Your presence in my heart is the embrace that I am longing

My prayer at night brings in the silent moment I am dreaming 
Being with you in silence fills my heart with your love

Will you stay a little longer? My heart’s request
“Always” a whisper so gentle from your heart

“I love you mom” I whisper back as I close my eyes for the night
The calming rhythm of my heart is a reminder of your  presence at all times
My lullaby from heaven is your humming voice 
A reminder that you are “always” near by

The stars shine bright from above
Keeping the night sky lit
For you are “always” close by
To fill the silence with your love

NB
From Caroline's foreword:
This happens when I wake from a dream 😴 words starts to flow and i just write as they come… 
I miss my mom’s embrace. Holidays are hard to celebrate without her laughter and cooking. 

EMPTY NEST

October 19, 2022
Macquarie Field

Empty Nest

Once a place where laughter rings -
Between playmates who dance and sing.
Their voices sweet; they're full of life;
Cute angels sent from heaven above.

Once a court where Princesses reign.
Uncrowned, bejewelled with dimpled chins.
When dreamstime bids, they're sweet cherubs in the cribs:
My pure joy, the source of maternal pride.

Once a playground where fantasy plays;
They catch rainbows in their mine of dreams.
Book and friends; toys and games;
They tell stories and acting out names.

Once a clinic where nurses serve
Lots of tender loving care they share;
Looking after patients sick and weak;
Some loving hugs bring them back to health.

Once a school where children learn
To read and write; count and listen;
They teach each other with so much fun and joy;
Great is the experience that they enjoy.

Once a garden where insects swarm
O'er pretty flowers they hover and charm;
While nature lays green carpet on the ground;
Shrubs and trees keep them safe all around.


Once a church where they pray to worship.
And sing songs of praise with hearts content.
Their kindred spirits are nurtured there;
As they grow ever thankful with grace.

Now they're gone, having found their own nest;
Makes my heart filling with emptiness;
No shadows I see behind the sun;
What's left are their memories of fun!

© Leah C Dancel
Copyright © November 27, 2007
All rights reserved 
SH-AUSTRALIA
(15 years on my own as of  November 27, 2022)
 





























12 December 2022

What I Am

Lifted from Estelle Cortes

I will be nothing except what I am.
I cannot give any more than I am prepared to.
I will not back down from truth because someone 
else refuses to see what the truth is.

I will not dance around what I am to make someone else happy.
It is my life and I will live it according to what makes me happy and content.
I will not pretend to be what I am not. I wear no masks. I do not conform.

I have earned that right and I claim it above all else.
If I am not your cup of tea, I will understand if you walk away from me.
I finally know what being true to yourself means and I live it to the best of my ability.

I am not weak. I am strong but that doesn't make me wrong.
I will celebrate your life and try to lift you up 
But it is up to you to fill your own cup.

Rev. Diannia Baty

9 December 2022

That November Fragrance by Fewa Lake

By Hum Ale



That November Fragrance by Fewa Lake
(Repost)

It was a November frosty day
I felt warm in the chilly wind
As my mind was so brisk 
Frolicking soft I could gulp 
The savor of the good day
As I encountered with a lady
Feeling like a fine day
I grasped the moment
Of the whole day 
Walking in Fewa Lakeside
The sun bade caressing 
The Western Sky
A little tiredness in mind I felt 
She asked me to go for dinner
Then I took her to a bar
I whisked the evening into my mind
And, asked her if she would like to drink
She shook her head for Vodka and Cranberry
I was alright with a peg of Whisky
She talked and I felt like a tonic
With lip sprinkling fine in my mind

The light flickered on her face
And, sprayed the fragrance of her beauty
The soft chill breeze
In the verge of bidding farewell 
Swayed her hairs
A tick and tick sound in my heart
I smelt the marinated peanuts
To not quell the flakiest heart
She kept on with words
The words of fluttering voice
She asked for a dance
We danced in a lullaby song
In a string of warm love 
Flapping the wings
We swam the full moon
Into a deeper lake
Drowning for a long time
The wonderful moment of night
We played the world
With a fine colored meadow
Till the shroud in the eyes

(C) Hum Ale

Photo Credit to the genuine owner

3 December 2022

35 Years Anniversary in Australia


#Tanka



Confidence alert
No fray nerves ever concede
Fly along your dreams
In the blue clouds of yearning 
To a land unknown per quest.

© Leah C Dancel
Copyright © December 2, 202
All rights reserved 
#35YearsINAustralia



It's "Beyond Gratitude"
For reaching this far,
With God's providence
and watchful care.
My aging life
Has brought me blessings;
I'd never dreamt nor expected.
I can't forget from where I came from
Across the seas and hundred miles.
I'll always remember my humble beginnings
As I tried to live each day with gratefulness.
There were hundred times I almost gave up,
When trying moments were impossible to hurdle.
But God has given me strength to keep going;
I didn't know then that He made me realise
I have the courage to toughen it all.
Alone and forlorn, He holds the light
That glimmers in the sky
The hope of my aspiration is just within reach
He knows that in everything 
My heart has only one desire:
Peace!

© Leah C Dancel
Copyright ©️ December 2, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#35yearsinaustralia

15 November 2022

GO FORTH

 By Leah C Dancel 



GO FORTH 

Travel near
Lessens fear.
Travel far
Reach the star.
Tell no one
With wagging tongues.
Keep them out
Go round about.
Life is short
Let's go forth.

©Leah C Dancel
Copyright © November 16, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA 

10 November 2022

"LET'S REMEMBER THEM"

By Leah C Dancel

Photo credit to Internet 


"LET'S REMEMBER THEM"

When the clock strikes at eleventh hour today,
On this eleventh day of the eleventh month of a calendar year;
Our nation will pause for a moment...
To pay tribute to the fallens  in solemn silence.
A prayer of remembrance in hearts and minds be uttered
In memory of their sacrifices laid
in the altar  of conflicts far away home 
With great thanks and respect for their courage and bravery.

A hundred thousands young and bold
soldiers shed blood and lost their lives; 
From the shore of Gallipoli to Normandy and  Flanders Field;
While those who made it, came home shattered and devastated.
For a hundred years and more,
this memory still haunts the many;
As the young generation commits this remembrance to their future posterity,
With great pride and honour,
their forefathers' name will forever
etch in history.

Now the field is blooming with red blood poppies,
A reminder of that bloody war;
But wars followed era after eras;
When does this human cruelty 
ever ends?
Today at the eleventh hour,
Don't forget to stay silent;
Stop and "let's remember them
At the going down of the sun
Lest we forget."

©Leah C Dancel
Copyright © November 11, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#remembranceday
#inmemoryofmyfather
#poppy

POSTCARDS

By Leah C Dancel


POSTCARDS

Everywhere I go
Places old and new;
I always hold a memory
Through pictures in the card.
Then I remember friends
Whom I left behind, so I grab 
A pen and write a few lines
To let them know where I am.
My friends were surprised
To receive a card from me;
The friendly postman safely
Tucked each card under a dream pillow.
How lovely is the feeling
Of those whom I cared;
A mere postcard cheers them up 
Coming from someone far away!

© Leah C Dancel
Copyright © November 5, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA 
~π~π~π~π~π~π~π~π~π~

4 November 2022

NOVEMBER

Lifted from Serendipity Corner 

November comes 
And November goes, 
With the last red berries 
And the first white snows.
With night coming early, 
And dawn coming late, 
And ice in the bucket 
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn 
And the kettles sing, 
And earth sinks to rest 
Until next spring ..

~Elizabeth Coatsworth ~


3 November 2022

WITH GRATITUDE and KINDNESS

By Leah C Dancel



When you walk
And you're not sure of the way
To get to the place where
You've earlier passed through
You meet unfamiliar people,
Friendly strangers, you asked for
Help, they're quite assuring
To show you the way to safety.
Everyone you talk to
Is as polite and gentle
Their smiling eyes twinkle
Because they care for you
Regardless of who they are
Skin colours don't matter much
Such a big country with
Multi-cultured races
Each one is as giving
As anyone can be
To give and extend a helping hand
When you needed it most.
Young and old, treat each other well
For all kinds of humans
Humanity does still exist.
So bless all the people
With gratitude and kindness.

©Leah C Dancel
Copyright © November 3, 2022
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA 

Photo credit to Miemie with thanks.