FASHION SENSE

By Leah C Dancel

FASHION SENSE

Her charismatic beauty compelled me to WEND my perspective
About
fashion trends that DIGRESSED in recent years, away from conservative style of dressing.
I am
firm and STOLID by not conforming to the whims of women in society.
I frowned
upon their glitterati temperament of endless demand in emulating the Hollywood glamour,
Who snubbed
their mediocrity in fashion sense which to me is rather a
SELCOUTH.

©️ Leah C Dancel
Copyright ©️ 25 December 2023
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#ILA MAGAZINE
#WALTMARIE
#WOW: DIGRESS, SELCOUTH,  STOLID,  WEND 

HIS JOURNEY ENDS

By Leah C Dancel

HIS JOURNEY ENDS 

(CLEAVE POEM CHALLENGE)

Life's enigma / has tragically SURCEASED

when death drew near / for a dear brother in bed 

whom we keep / in our daily ORISON

though we're aware / of his final destiny

 

We held our hopes high / chanting his prosaic AUBADE 

Stirring memories / in despair with COMPATHY 

But all's in vain / when he could no longer hang on

He's free from pain / now that his journey ends.

©️ LEAH C DANCEL 

Copyright ©️ 25 December 2023

All rights reserved 

SH-AUSTRALIA 

#ILAMAGAZINE 

#CLEAVEPOEM

#SURCEASE 

#AUBADE 

#ORISON 

#COMPATHY 

Leah Dancel - nicely written, heartfelt poem. Great usage of the WOWS. 🩷 ~Annette Nasser,  ILA Founder 

CLEAVE POEM

ILA

HIS JOURNEY ENDS
(CLEAVE POEM CHALLENGE)

Life's enigma / has tragically SURCEASED
when death drew near  / for a dear brother in bed
whom we keep / in our daily ORISON
though we're aware / of his final destiny

We held our hopes high /  chanting his prosaic AUBADE
Stirring memories / in despair with COMPATHY
But all's in vain / when he could no longer hang on
He's free from pain / now that his journey ends.

©️ LEAH C DANCEL
Copyright ©️ 25 December 2023
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#ILAMAGAZINE
#CLEAVEPOEM
#SURCEASE
#AUBADE
#ORISON
#COMPATHY

WORDS of the WEEK:

(12/24/23) - (12/30/23)

***

AUBADE (Noun)

[oh-bad]; [oh-bahd]

DEFINITION: A love poem or song as a compliment to someone. A song sung or played somewhere, usually outdoors, welcoming or lamenting the arrival of dawn. This word is of French origin.

***

ORISON (Noun)

[awr-uh-zuhn]

DEFINITION: Prayer

***

SURCEASE 

[sur-sees]

DEFINITION:

(Noun): Cessation; end. Archaic: To cease from.

(Verb): To cease from action. To come to and end or leave off.

***

COMPATHY (Noun)

[kom-puh-thee]

DEFINITION: Shared feelings as in joy or sorrow.

**

You may need to right click on the image to see in full view.

ILA Magazine Poetry Challenge:

*

The CLEAVE POEM - The word "cleave" defines both separate and together, to cut or to meld. It also means to adhere closely. This poem consists of THREE POEMS IN ONE, by splitting each line in 2 parts. The FIRST SECTION, SECOND SECTION and COMBINED SECTION readings should all make sense and stand on their own, threaded together in a way that illustrates how writing and words can connect in contrast, to form new meanings. 

THIS FORM REQUIRES THE POET TO FOCUS ON LINE BREAKS AND THE MEANING OF EACH SECTION AS THEY STAND ON THEIR OWN.

***

EXAMPLE OF MY POEM BELOW - (I've divided first section from second section with a slanted line so you can differentiate - notice both sections read as if both are separate poems and with both read together in combination, it is also construed as a whole poem - the title of my poem is NOSTALGIC REMEMBRANCES):

**

NOSTALGIC REMEMBRANCE 

When SURCEASE of work halts / in hustle and bustle

emotions of fondness / lull within city streets

elevate mood swings / through journeys remembered

past, present / create amiable feelings of longing

revived in reveries / bringing special phases of reflection.

Peacefully / we think of loved ones in ORISON

twinkling flashes in mind's eye / gazing at snapshots

spark tender nostalgia, / events of past holidays

twinging pangs / of comfort and pain

embraced by COMPATHY / dwelling in heart's AUBADE.

Annette Nasser

***

This challenge begins TODAY (12-24-23)

and ENDS FRIDAY (12-29-23)

*

Please apply ALL WOWS: AUBADE, ORISON, SURCEASE and COMPATHY. 

If you do not have knowledge of the definitions, I suggest you look at the WOW definitions I sent prior to this challenge.

BEST ENTRY will be chosen to be featured on ILA.

Good luck poets and I am looking forward to reading your poems!

THE FEATHER OF

By Leah C Dancel

To Manong Cefring and Manong Ed

Published in The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper founded by Evelyn Zaragoza. 

THE FEATHER OF LIFE

A whiff of tears dropped from my eyes
To see two feathers lying on the ground.
A thought wandered back home...
Who could've plucked you
beneath the wings?

I heard a voice as carried by the wind.
How could it be when the season is sultry?
And not a breeze came wafting by ...
A clear hush sound whispered a reply:

"I was blown down from nowhere
For I couldn't fly; my wings are clipped.
My time on earth has ceased.
My journey in heaven's sealed."

The other feather still battling on;
Holding on, yet weak; strength dwindling.
For how long will his anchor hold?
The tempest's ferocious, will he prevail?

The feather of life gives power to wings:
To soar in the sky; to fly o'er the storms.
To overcome adversities
To protect its domain.

I looked up high where clouds roll by.
Two feathers glide gently on each side.
The rain fell down, their spirit yield.
Rest in peace in your eternal home.

©️ Leah C Dancel
Copyright ©️ 24 December 2023
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA

NB

Manong Cefring (CEFERINO SEJERA DANCEL - VILLARBA, the eldest son of the 5 children of Tatay Sulpicio Villarba and Nanay Fortunata Dancel Villarba. Nanay Fortun is the only sibling of Papang Doroteo Sejera Dancel. Both were orphans of Baldomero and Ramona Dancel of Ilocos and Solido, Nabas, Àklan.

SPECTACULAR

By Rado Gatchalian

THE SPECTACULAR

By Rado Gatchalian

The Spectacular, 

which is grand and perpetual,

born from heaven but walks on earth,

everywhere yet nowhere,

above and below yet also in the middle,

elusive, confusing, 

yet written in every stone in the field,

in every flower that blooms in the East,

in every little step of a wandering child.

It is there yet many fails to grasp its content.

but how and why?

to whom it is given?

how deserving a warrior that merits his victory?

The Spectacular, 

soaring like gentle wind,

we seek but hard to find;

the sky roaring with mighty beauty —

let the eyes that see, look carefully;

admire but learn to capture all derivatives,

may it be imperfect or lies, 

learn to differentiate between art and so and so.

You are Spectacular,

from the beginning to end,

always and forever,

all and one,

you and the entire landscape,

you and your ultimate dream.

Look. And listen.

The wind whispers its most beautiful song

in a very delicate place where life begins. 

Listen. And look.

#inspiration #self #truth #meaning

THE WAVES OF PRAY'R

NOSTALGIC MOMENT

#NOSTALGIC MOMENT

By Leah C Dancel 

THE WAVES OF PRAY'R

The waves girded the shores with foam 

In whiter suits to where they roam.

-

With echo-ing sounds of summer's call

Down to earth, whence,  wherewithal they fall.

-

They carry messages across 

From distant lands of  sing song blues.

-

A little dream to weave on sea 

I deck them like flowers on the lea.

-

Dolphins flap their wings with glee 

Laughing loudly as can be.

-

As Fairy Penguins get ready to flee 

They plunge into the sea happy and free.

The turtles back glint in the heat of sun

While racing at daylight tides without fun.

-

Of course,  these random thoughts are made of strings; 

All tied up to a mem'ry bank in winks. 

Night time is coming, the beach is calling.

So is the moon,  and stars that are twinkling.

My longings for home beside my mother 

Is deeply revered in the waves of pray'r. 

©️ Leah C Dancel 

Copyright ©️ 20 December 2023

All rights reserved 

SH-AUSTRALIA 

#DecemberPrompt

#Couplet 

#ILA MAGAZINE 

COMMENTS:

Love the rhythm and the end-rhymes made the piece lyrically exceptional. The title, a big WOW! Napakahusay po Nay!

~Jeffrey Cejero 

A very revealing expression of your innermost emotion!!! You are endowed with the gift of poetry, Leah Dancel! I am deeply touched. 🩵🤍💙 ~Mariquita Nosce Tandoc

L * I * F * E

Inspired by Dra. Rolaiza Mimi Singayao 

Mural

Georgia Rose Cafe

Shell Cove NSW 

16 December 2023

L * I * F * E

The reality of life

Lived in a portraiture of words:

Fierce and piercing.

Nostalgia spreads

In a crochet of tangled emotion

Down memory lane.

Looking back

Reminiscing of what's gone before 

Good and bad entwined. 

The wheel keeps turning 

Fortune and misfortune at par

Churning tides both sorrow and joy.

Live life as it should be 

Take what Nature yields

Heartily give it back with care.

©️ Leah C Dancel 

All rights reserved 

20 December 2023

SH-AUSTRALIA 

TRAVEL

By

Try to travel, otherwise

you may become racist,

and you may end up believing

that your skin is the only one

to be right,

that your language

is the most romantic

and that you were the first

to be the first.

Travel,

because if you don't travel then

your thoughts won’t be strengthened,

won’t get filled with ideas.

Your dreams will be born with fragile legs and then you end up believing in tv-shows, and in those who invent enemies

that fit perfectly with your nightmares

to make you live in terror.

Travel,

because travel teaches

to say good morning to everyone

regardless of which sun we come from.

Travel,

because travel teaches

to say goodnight to everyone

regardless of the darkness

that we carry inside

Travel,

because traveling teaches to resist,

not to depend,

to accept others, not just for who they are

but also for what they can never be.

To know what we are capable of,

to feel part of a family

beyond borders,

beyond traditions and culture.

Traveling teaches us to be beyond.

Travel,

otherwise you end up believing

that you are made only for a panorama

and instead inside you

there are wonderful landscapes

still to visit.

- Gio Evan, poet and songwriter.

Translated from Italian.

MY BEST FRIEND'S FUNERAL

By Crispulo Tappa 

Christmas Reflection 7

MY BEST FRIEND'S FUNERAL

I dared not, as most men 

do, loudly weep

Or stood by your bier 

and take a peep

Neither mumbled a sorrow-

ful goodbye

Nor offered wreaths that 

wilt and dry.

I did what is oft'n not 

done, in private

Grieve your death, my 

best friend, great

Your passing on to the 

next life, I celebrate

The joys and triumphs 

that we all partake.

I will not write an elegy

of your great story

But sing a joyful song of 

your eternal victory

Over death; death of man,

we shouldn't mourn,

Death is just a beginning

of his next sojourn.

No long sad marches to 

bury your remains

For there in my heart your

memory remains

A parting between friends,

my joyful de jour

A sweet sorrow, only best 

friends can savour.

When time comes for me 

to be in the eternal garden 

Of love, joy, and peace; 

God's ethereal realm

Forever and ever, we shall 

be best friends again.

*A Lament to honor my dear friend/s 

who have passed on to the next life.

LIVING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

6 December 2023

LIVING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA 

36 years going forward 

Shedding skin; and, belting out

A hymn that makes us one:

To Advance Australia Fair!

Living life the Australian way

Weet bix, barbecue and meat pies 

Falling leaves, snow, hay fever and summer flies. 

A terrain of cultures blend in a migrant's day.

What more can beat the country fetes? 

Football and cricket unite them all.

Albeit all sports create legends of old

Work hard and play hard mould them fit.

ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day

Are days revered in solemn faith.

While New Year's Day and Australia Day 

Firecrackers and  fireworks are at play.

Go Mate! Chase the bloke, but 

Don't mess up with Sheila

Or she'll knock you down 

A tough cookie she is 

When full to the brim. 

 

"Look after this land Mate",  as you do

With the ocean and sea;  mountains and plains ...

For nature has a way to get back to you.

Let's keep it green, let's keep it clean.

There's more to 36 years of learning 

From living life the Australian way 

Whatever comes to mind 

"Keep It to yourself",  they say!

Let's not forget to pay respect 

To the elders of the Bushland.

Their spirits mind your foot, 

Loose or lost in your wanderings.

Beg yours, what's up,  how ya goin?

Get out of the way and join the queue;

Hail TO ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR!

©️ Leah C Dancel 

6 December 2023

SH-AUSTRALIA

***

REVISED VERSION 

LIVING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

36 years going forward
Shedding skin; and, belting out
A hymn that makes us one:
To Advance Australia Fair!

Living life the Australian way
Weet bix, barbecue and meat pies
Falling leaves, snow, hay fever and summer flies.
A terrain of cultures blend in migrant's day.

What more can beat the country fetes?
Football and cricket unite them all.
Albeit all sports create legends of old
Work hard and play hard mould them fit.

ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day
Are days revered in solemn faith.
While New Year's Day and Australia Day
Firecrackers and  fireworks are at play.

Go Mate! Chase the bloke, but
Don't mess up with Sheila
Or she'll knock you down
A tough cookie she is
When she yells enough!

"Look after this land Mate",  as you do
With the ocean and sea;  mountains and plains ...
For nature has a way to get back to you.
Let's keep it green, let's keep it clean.

There's more to 36 years of learning
From living life the Australian way
Whatever comes to mind
"Keep It to yourself",  they say!

Let's not forget to pay respect
To the elders of the Bushland.
Their spirits mind your foot,
Loose or lost in your wanderings.

Beg yours, what's up,  how ya goin?
Get out of the way and join the queue;
Hail TO ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR!

©️ Leah C Dancel
6 December 2023
SH-AUSTRALIA

TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...

Lifted from

TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...

To the woman who has lost her spark.

To the woman whose get up and go, has well and truly gone.

This is for you.

This is to remind you whose daughter you are.

This is to remind you, that you don’t have to be everything to everyone, every day.

You didn’t sign up for that.

Remember when you used to laugh? Sing? Throw caution to the wind?

Remember when you used to forgive yourself more quickly for not always being perfect.

You can get that back again.

You really can.

And that doesn’t have to mean letting people down or walking away.

It just means being kinder to you, feeling brave enough to say no sometimes.

Being brave enough to stop sometimes.

And rest.

It starts the moment you realise that you’re not quite who you used to be.

Some of that is good, some of that is not.

There are parts of you that need to be brought back.

And if anyone in your life is not okay with that... they are not your people.

Your people will be glad to see that spark starting to light up again.

So, if you have been slowly fading away my friend, this is the time to start saying yes to things that bring you joy and no to things that don’t.

It’s really pretty simple.

© Credits : Donna Ashworth

Follow Us

Image by Kevin Carden

Read more :- https://koppiz.com/independent-modern-woman-32-years-old-creates-comics-based-on-her-observations-of-society-20-new-pics/

GRAIN OF SAND

5 December 2023

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower 

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 

And Eternity in an hour

A Robin Red breast in a Cage

Puts all Heaven in a Rage 

A Dove house filld with Doves & Pigeons

Shudders Hell thr' all its regions...    

-- William Blake 

THE JOURNEY of the DUSTS

By Jeffrey Cejero 

Photo credit to Pexels 

The Journey of the Dusts

by jepoy

In the deep space, I float endlessly

And as the river of time

continues to flow

And seasons come and go,

My entrapment remains eternal

And my freedom is the end of infinity!

I'm grateful for those I met along the way.

There were times, I was blown away by astral wind

Until I landed on a desolate world

And taken care by an ancient mountain

Then, judgement day came and that world faced its doomed!

There were times, I just floated in nowhere.

Felt nothing but coldness,

Saw no light but darkness

But still, I was just a speck of dusts.

Just nothing in the eyes of gods and even mortals.

As I float in space,

I surrendered everything to destiny and fate

And praying to fortune to give me luck.

My wish came true after failing a million wishes.

A dying star welcomed me and served as my sanctuary.

On those aeons, I felt the agony of this aged spirit

But blessed for I was gifted of its past.

A blink of an eye in the perspective of gods,

The dying star, my sanctuary turned to ashes and dusts.

The omniverse is endless

Just like my sailing in the sky.

On this state, I lost the concept of time

And the space I were in.

In this torn dimension just below the heaven, I found you.

And maybe someday

If fate allows me to break my samsara,

If destiny would let me attract you

And fortunate enough to stay in your warm core,

Maybe I could transform from dusts to your brightest star!

************

Thank you for being a part of my 43rd journey around the sun. Though I'm just a speck of dusts, maybe you valued me like an ant, or as precious as a mountain or as bright as the sun or like a star!

No matter what you give to me, it will always be a part of me. I can turn all of those into my own foundation and in shaping my own life.

Thank you!

SIP YOUR TEA, NICE AND SLOW

Shared by Nestor Punzalan Crisostomo:

A poem by Prof Anne Lee Tzu Pheng (Singapore Cultural Medallion winner). She was formerly in the English Literature Dept in NUS. This is a powerful poem on human friendship and loving one another.

Sip your Tea

Nice and Slow

No one Ever knows

when it’s Time to Go,

There’ll be no Time

to enjoy the Glow,

So sip your Tea

Nice and Slow.

Life is too Short but

feels pretty Long,

There’s too Much to do, 

so much going Wrong,

And Most of the Time 

You Struggle to be Strong,

Before it’s too Late

and it’s time to Go,

Sip your Tea

Nice and Slow.

Some Friends stay,

others Go away,

Loved ones are Cherished 

but not all will Stay.

Kids will Grow up

and Fly away.

There’s really no Saying 

how Things will Go,

So sip your Tea

Nice and Slow.

In the End it’s really

all about understanding 

Love 

For this World  

and in the Stars above,

Appreciate and Value 

who truly Cares,

Smile and Breathe

and let your Worries go,

So Just Sip your Tea

Nice and Slow."

When I'm dead.

Your tears will flow

But I won't know

Cry with me now instead.

You will send flowers, 

But I won't see

Send them now instead

You'll say words of praise 

But I won't hear.

Praise me now instead

You'll forget my faults,

But I won't know.....

Forget them now instead.

You'll miss me then,

But I won't feel.

Miss me now, instead.

You'll wish You could have spent more time with me,

Spend it now instead

When you hear I'm gone, you'll find your way to my house to pay condolence but we haven't even spoken in years.

Look for me now. 

 

*"Spend time with every person around you, and help them with whatever you have to make them happy, your families, friends and acquaintances.*

*Make them feel Special because you never know when time will take them away from you forever.*

Alone I can 'Say' but together we can 'Talk'.

Alone I can 'Enjoy' but together we can 'Celebrate'  

Alone I can 'Smile' but together we can 'Laugh'

That's the BEAUTY of Human Relations. 

We are nothing without each other 

So Stay Connected!

🙏🙏🙏

Brief review:

"Composed by the Singaporean poet Anne Lee Tzu Pheng, this remarkable poem dwells on the nature of time and the relationship humans share. It invites the reader to be present in the moment rather than losing oneself in regret and guilt about the incontrovertible nature of time and lost opportunities. This poem is to remind us to take our time to live life and appreciate the value of life and memories that lives on beyond time and death. " ~Mohona Banerjee, STILL STEEPING, Blogger

SONGS OF SORROW

By Crispulo Tappa

SONGS OF SORROW

The call of duty beckons one

To join the army of nations,

The trumpets of war have blared,

Hurried goodbyes are made,

Race to a war not their own,

The enemy lines are drawn.

The enemy's lair determined,

Rockets laid and positioned,

Humans are cannoned, 

Buried under ruins, dead

Songs of sorrow, overheard

War-shocked, living-dead.

Sing the songs of sorrow

Of orphans and widows, 

No tears, dried up by fears,

Rebuild their lives in years,

Songs of sorrow, no refrains,

Rubble of dreams remains.

Trumpets sorrowfully blared,

Dead soldiers honored and laid,

Wrapped in their nations' flag, 

Mothers will miss their hugs,

The folly of senseless wars,

Awards are medals and stars.

Songs of sorrow fill the air 

To remind men to play fair,

War is the last instrument

For men to settle any argument

Over resources of the earth,

Domains, humankind's hearth.

********

Crispulo Tappa

All rights reserved.

26 November 2023

CTTO: Photo

THE WILL of LOVE

By Jeffrey Cejero

The Will of Love 

by jepoy

In my whole life,

I never thought what lies beyond time and space

A mystery, impossible to trace.

Only gods could fathom

While mortals couldn't even grasp the phantom.

But the first time I met you,

I witnessed the flow of seasons moved in rhyme.

Though it was a cold December, 

The season showed a myriad solidification of hope

That I wanted to hold.

It was a manifestation of spring

Giving me the chance for new beginnings.

You melted the coldness of my life

And your smile was radiating like summer.

You also had majestic beauty of autumn.

You made my life experienced the prismastic hues of life.

The space between us turned to be our own world

That small place seemed to contain a living universe

My once dead and broken void

Now turn into Eden, no longer destroyed

There was also a time, when we were separated

And I started pulling the time for me to meet you sooner

Not seeing you makes my day like a dead silent night.

Our deep bond alters the cyclic movement of moon and sun

But still, the stars continue to shine 

And our love is enough to light the whole world.

Though we are separated by mountain, land or sea

And sometimes, even heaven,

Nothing, even hell could stop us.

Our connection is so closed like two souls that meant for each other.

No time and no space could hinder us

Our love transcends the law of the universe

And could even shatter the rules set by heaven

When we are together

The flow of time 

And every space in the universe

Turned insignificant and became the disciples of our hearts.

Beyond space and time is our will of love.

pic from pinterest

25 November 2023

SMILE

Lifted from Estelle Cortes

She looks through old pictures and the smile she once wore. 

The smile everyone said was beautiful.

The smile she assumed would stay forever.

But it didn't stay forever, and now she wishes she could find it, or at least something that looks like it.- 

          Stephanie Bennet-Henry

#fightingdepression

HALF A LIFE

By Khalil Gibran 

Do not live half a life

and do not die a half death

If you choose silence, then be silent

When you speak, do so until you are finished

If you accept, then express it bluntly

Do not mask it

If you refuse then be clear about it

for an ambiguous refusal is but a weak acceptance

Do not accept half a solution

Do not believe half truths

Do not dream half a dream

Do not fantasize about half hopes

Half the way will get you no where

You are a whole that exists to live a life

not half a life. 

~Khalil Gibran 

(Book: The Prophet)

Source: ENGLISH LITERATURE 

A JOURNEY INTO THE EDGE

By Gus Perez Amio with permission. 

Lifted from FB

14 November 2023

A JOURNEY INTO THE EDGE

(Dedicated to all my friends treading on the same beaten path)

Lonely days are unheard of

If friends are all around

Delightful in anticipation

Of an event that's about to come

Aches and pains just seem to disappear

As the planned shindig draws near

You even rummage from the closet

The best attire you have to wear

Party time swiftly turns into a blast

Belting out old songs from the distant past

There's even the gleeful dancing spree

Cha-cha, tango, and even the "maskipaps"

Endless chatter is the order of the day

Various health issues come forth to stray

Vertigo, acid reflux, diabetes

Rheumatism, hypertension and prostatitis

But all of these pale in comparison

To the pleasure and delights of the occasion

" Let's live the moment!" they all chanted in unison

"Forget the burden and the load, let's all move on"

Such is the fate of those living on the edge

Of life's afterglow, the twilight of the day

Though we have to endure all the pains and sorrow

Our true faith in the Almighty will save our souls.

"GLIMPSES"

Posted at FB

14 November 2023

Thank you Poetic Hearts for featuring me in your "GLIMPSES" COFFEE TABLE Magazine.

I'm honoured and humbled.

Thank you Jadj Dancel for your generous time and effort in handing this to Rado. Thank you Rado Gatchalian for bringing this precious treasure to me all the way Down Under from our Mahal na Inang Bayan.  💖

On REMEMBRANCE DAY

By Leah C Dancel

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNSELFISH SERVICE TO THE WORLD AT LARGE 

I have you in my heart 

I have you in my thoughts 

I have you in my prayers 

I wish you goowill, 

And a will to mend 

From brokeness that befell you. 

Though no words my lips have uttered

I know deep inside me

God will heal you completely. 

Even in darkest time of day

Everything will shine brightly

Just like this Rose in my garden -

That overcomes loneliness 

As it stands alone in solitude 

Because faith,  hope,  and love 

Will encompass  adversity. 

©️ Leah C Dancel 

11 November 2023

SH-AUSTRALIA 

On REMEMBRANCE DAY

THE SOUND'S OF PARADISE

By Gordana Andalovska

The sounds of paradise

Soul filled

with stellar beauty

which the whole world carries

as a treasure in self ..

Sounds ..

They resemble the song of angels..

Choir, almost inaudible, 

which resonates in the soul..

Blessed is the one,

which he can feel

the sound of beauty 

in yourself and in others ..

Like an invisible hand

which gently descends 

on your head

along with a sounds of noise

on the angelic wings ..

© Gordana Andonovska

         Macedonia.

SOMETIMES

Lifted from Gerry Javier, Jr

These Beautiful lines by Robert Drake are worth many a repeat…

*Sometimes,*

I feel I want to go back in time... 

Not to change things, but to feel a couple of things twice..

*Sometimes,*

 I wish I was a Baby for a while... 

Not to be walked in the pram but to see my Mother's smile

*Sometimes,*

 I wish I could go back to school... 

Not to become a child but to spend more time with those friends, I never met after school..

*Sometimes,*

 I wish I could be back in college... 

Not to be a rebel but to really understand what I studied

*Sometimes,*

 I wish I was a Fresher at my work... 

Not to do less work but to recall the joy of the first pay cheque.

*Sometimes,*

 I wish my kids were younger.... 

Not because they grew fast but to play with them a bit more.

*Sometimes,*

I feel I still had some more time to live... 

Not to have a longer life but to know what I could give to others.

*Since the times*

that are gone can never come back, let's enjoy the moments as we live them from now on, to the fullest..

*Let's Celebrate our Remaining Life - Every Moment and Every Day.*❤️

ctto: thanks Abet

WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW

By Crispulo Tappa

WILL YOU STILL LOVE

ME TOMORROW

When my teeth are gone

and can't smile

When my knees are weak

and creak

When my mind is fuzzy

like crazy

When my tummy has lost

its form.

Will you still love me

tomorrow

When you have your

own family

Found a place you now

call your own

That demands your full

attention.

Will you still love me

tomorrow

When life is as hazy 

as my vision

With all the body pains 

and aches 

A memory has lapsed,

almost erased.

Will you still love me

tomorrow

When I think and talk

like a child

And need help to move 

around

To be assisted in every

small task. 

If you can't love me

tomorrow

Then tell me now so

I won't expect

The same love that you 

and I have shared

When everything was

alright.

CTTO: Photo

MY SWEET CHILDREN

Lifted from The Soul Journey 

By Sarah Moussa

My sweet children,

If those you've surrounded yourself with don't build you up when you're with them or when you leave the table, they're not your tribe.

If they don't cheer loudly for you when you find success or cry with you when you've lost, they're not your tribe.

If you have to change who you are to be accepted, invited or included, they're not your tribe.

If they make you question your worth, tear you down or make you feel defeated, they're not your tribe.

Who you surround yourself with matters. They become part of you. You might start to act like them, think like them, behave like them or view life through their lens. 

Don't give up on who you are. 

Don't become a byproduct of someone else.

Don't dim your light so they can shine brighter.

Don't leave yourself behind.

Keep being YOU. Keep doing what you love. Your tribe will find you. Even one good friend is far better than a bunch of fake friends. 

Don't settle for less than you deserve. Surround yourself with those who shine as brightly as you do. 💜💜💜

Raising Teens Today