Writing Circles Nourish Us

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments
Community of Leaves, Portland, Oregon
Willing Hearts

Separated
by time
and space
Yet, 
physical distance
holds no power
over hearts
willing to listen
and reflect-
Not actually separated 
after all

By Kelley Morris
You can find more of her poems here
pianogirlthoughts

I have never met Kelley in person but I feel
connected to her. We were once strangers
living in separate states, then she joined a
writing circle. I listen to her words and I
came to know her. Coming together, with
women like Kelley, across physical distance
to cherish poems and write together is
generating hope. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space for you to hear your
own voice and experience authentic connect
with others through writing together. I have
written with people from Europe, Canada and
all over the U.S, and every time we are
inspired by the circle.

Thank you Kelley for sharing your voice.

Curious about giving it a try? Sign up below.

Register on Eventbrite

When Comes The Night

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 18 Comments 
after the sordid day
rain recalls the language of music

and I go, leaving frenzied voices behind
to bed beneath magnetic star spray

to see above the thousands
while I hear the lake moon moan

when I can live life
as ripe peach sky?

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Quadrille - Poetical Magnetism

I have never liked crossword puzzles but I got a kick out of this magnetic poetry site. What a fun way to play with word use.
Check it out here. magnetic poetry

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 14 Comments
Brooklyn Bridge 2019

sky

I see the sky,
the blue, the cloud; and
at night, the stars,
the moon, the planets.

You see the sky,
don’t you?
the same sky…yes?

Could it be, that
although the miles,
our experiences,
separate us…
we are still connected?

We are the same.
you are here and I am there,
or I am here and you are there.

The same sky…wherever we are.

Carrie Cannady
October 14, 2020
You can find more of Carrie's poems 
and reflective wisdom 
here at Leadourlives.net
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission 
to share her poem from the writing 
circle here. I continue to meet 
amazing women across different time 
zones. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a 
safe place where we have all agreed 
to listen with compassion. 
Interested in joining a writing circle? 
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

One breath – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

I want to launch into the air a thousand words of love. Handwritten and in every font, (even the unpopular ones) lines and curves that will rise and carry us forward upon touch, and to accompany these words, send the sounds that bring us alive, like birdsong, a child’s laugh or footsteps echoing toward home. Release them as a million messages to freely be carried by the breezes that reach us all, to land on building tops and crosswalks, to fall in the teacups of the grieving, in the tangled hair of a skipping children, to settle on weary parkbench sleepers, cling to the yet delivered news traveling with the sunlight to the next continent, let the words land on the bare hands of the parched and weary like raindrops on the skin of those that need it most.

I pause here to take a breath and now realize you are still listening. How generous of you.

What do you want to launch into today?

I’m listening.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

Join us for Open Link Night on dVerse

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Outside of Your Home or View – Oregon Coast

Shift – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments
Leaves in an Oregon River
absent stood out
on the page of my day,
like sharp yellow highlighter,
a biting bright contrast,
to your slight soft smile.
Remembering our laughter
mixed with warm sunlight smell
of blackberries, overripe
with the end of this season,
some clinging to the vine.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2019

As we shift to the next, there is a tension of holding on 
and letting go. I feel this as I experience goodbyes 
and new places. Sending love to anyone who is saying 
farewell and transitioning with this season.  Let's 
welcome in the new colors that arrive with this change.
 

Let’s Write Together

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ Leave a comment

“Poetry might be defined as the clear expression of mixed feelings.” W.H. Auden, New Year Letter

In this time of change, I am keeping my eyes on love and offering a safe space to gather for reflection. There is much to process each day. Without an intentional pause I notice how easy it is for my brain to experience emotional overload. Poems provide an opportunity for slowing down, to pause. Writing together is an invitation to pause in the wonder of this day and remember we are alive. Every voice is welcome.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle

Join a small, online group to

  • Explore the use of poetry to inspire us.
  • Cultivate curiosity about our thinking and writing.
  • Experience writing as a tool for positive self reflection and well-being.

You will have the opportunity to connect more deeply with yourself, through your own writing, as well as through the writing shared by others. By offering a safe environment, through reflective listening, this workshop will support participants in expressing their authentic voice.

No writing experience needed. Group maximum 6 participants.

We will meet virtually using Zoom.

Register on Eventbrite

Nested – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 45 Comments
  • Salmon River, Oregon
Somedays we may
need to return to the nest
lined with words of hope,
blanketed by belief
in our ability to fly again.

Somedays we may
need to hold ourselves
leaning into curved sides
of this small structure
built by someone who loved us.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Poet's Pub - Quadrille #113: Blanket Us

Let Fall Catch You – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 29 Comments 
Painted leaves sing in unison
Unlike music, their song
is soundless harmony.

This orchestra of glow
soothes the tempo
of an internal pounding

from a day of instruments
that refused to play
the same song.

Fall catches you
with muted volume
a serenade of equilibrium

let the blushing colors 
sing you home.

© Alicia Grimshaw (rewrite of 2018 poem)

4:00 am Inquiry – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 35 Comments 
Whose fault is it?
Were you the one
who left it undone?

Did she really say
say it that way 
or was it just play?

Why didn't you leave
sooner rather than later?
Did it get better?

Was he to blame?
Should I feel shame?

When did it all start 
mattering so much?
Is it ok to touch?

What is there to do?
Are you wondering too?

Where is the starting line now?
What are the rules in play?
Are you even in the race?
Do you want to be?

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Poet's Pub - Open Link Night. Come join us here.

Poems from the circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 17 Comments 
Leave the dirt on....

Messy, scrambled words
Striving for control
    How I am perceived
    How I am received
Oh! You want me to show you

my skinned knee, 
my bruised heart, 
my bad dream?

My words, without my edits,
will show you the twisted, rambling trail
I have taken to get here.

    Are you sure you can keep up?

By Nancy A. Musgrove
I am grateful for Nancy’s permission 
to share her poem from the writing 
circle here. I continue to meet 
amazing women across different time 
zones. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a 
safe place where we have all agreed 
to listen with compassion. 
Interested in joining a writing circle? 
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com