Welcome to the third of my four June Showcases. I’m Lisa Scully-O’Grady, a writer with an interest in writing for creativity and healing. I’m delighted to return to Write On! for the month of June to select pieces for the weekly Showcase. Our theme continues to be ‘Mindset’ something that, ideally, evolves with us over our lifetimes, so I’ve selected a number of diverse pieces to demonstrate different perspectives on ‘Mindset’.

My choices this week juxtapose the best and the worst of human nature and the natural world. Speaking of nature, the Summer Solstice is almost upon us,  reminding us of the cyclical nature of time and the seasons and that all things pass eventually.

First up, a piece about putting trust in a person’s good intentions regarding money, only to be betrayed and the difficult feelings that betrayal of trust evokes. I’m sure this will be relatable for many readers out there. Even if your story is different, the feelings are the same, as we are all interconnected and there are only so many feelings.

Betrayal

I misunderstood you
I thought the money
would help you to recover
build self-esteem
and it was your right to be paid
as compensation
I thought you will see
my efforts kindness
humanity and love for you
in bringing you the reward

The act was selfless for a change
but somewhere in the past
somehow I hurt you so much
this act of generosity was not enough
for you
You saw an opportunity
to get rid of me
from your life

And you left me hanging
puzzled with your actions thereafter

Money corrupts I knew
but somehow I felt not you
But it did happen
proving there is no exception to this law

(c) Veershaval, 2025

Connect with Veershaval on Instagram: @veerdhaval9

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My second choice, another poem, shows us the beauty, simplicity and consistency of nature: observe the daisy, and change your mindset. Be like the daisy. Simple, consistent and carefree.

Daisy

A thin layer brocade lay on the grass,
Scatter stars fall on land it melt in May;
Another storm came before frost bypass,
Sun chased the clouds, she waved on mead in days.

Daisy, I loathe my name, she said, indeed,
What a common title seems everywhere;
Fragile fine stalks cast away by the greeds,
Given to the label of a tyke heir.

When the sign spread through the mountain and fields,
Who’s heart brighten with devote hope it holds;
Against the wild gusts, be the first to wields,
As pearls dot in the world with secret gold.

You are the life our Mother celebrates,
Long last the beauty as honor to date.

(c) Pei-Yu Lee, 2025

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My third and final piece for this week is an ode to a beloved mother and it’s filled with praise and gratitude for happy days and memories of times past. I’m sure anyone who has lost a much-loved mum will relate.

Mum – We Miss You So Much

I can never erase the memory of mum
The thoughts and feelings that leave me numb
The sweetest moments we always shared
That time has never impaired
She was the best in troubled times
And now the bell rings out its moving chimes
I can still see her on sun-dappled days
When she was there for us, always
She hugged the sun with tender care
In the garden of England utterly without fear
She fussed over us, made us happy
Even though I was still in my nappy.
But last week it all came to an end
And I’ll never find the words
That heal and mend.
You cry and cry with heartrending ease
You cling onto that morning when your
blood soaked knees
Were kissed better and relieved
But you sobbed, then seized
The halcyon days when we were pleased
To see your beaming smile, a comfort to us all.
Mum, I can never thank you enough
Life is beautiful, you were so gracious we had a ball.
Your adoring family, we love you so much.

(c) Joe Morris, 2025

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my selections for this week and that they’ve given you plenty to ponder upon until we meet on the page again next week for my final instalment. My wish is that they inspire you to get creating and sending in your pieces, either written or visual, or both, relating to ‘Reflections’, which will be our theme for the next quarter.

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If you’d like to see your writing appear in the Write On! Showcase, please submit your short stories, poetry or novel extracts to: pentoprint.org/get-involved/submit-to-write-on/

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