Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ Leave a comment 
Becoming

Can I still declare I am becoming?
There are no vast tomorrows in my future
Imagining The Creator 
Does He still admire his handiwork?
No longer does my body bear fruit
my womb barely remembers giving life
stretch marks have become old road markers 
now rendered dusty, leading nowhere
my thoughts at times confuse me
I leave out words wondering
where do they disappear
Between my mind and fingers in motion
hair on my head, now strands resembling
common condiments pay homage to seasoned memories
what few remain allowed to go their own way
they have known submission
followed each latest hair trend
yet, I continue occupying this body
it no longer needs to become
acceptance of time confirms I am still here alive
nothing thrown at me forced me to recoil
never once did I resolve to ever just look back.

By Aissatou Sunjata 5/7/21

I am grateful for Aissatou’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. 

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 21, 8:30 am PDT. Register here

Some of the Time – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments 











Let me hold space for your voice to appear on the page. 





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Unexpected joy – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 53 Comments					

				

		

a gathering of cells
multiplying magnificent

a seed inside 
breathing being 
and no one even knew

that you had begun
arriving, 

small magic 
happening inside the womb 

she went about her day 
hanging laundry
in her quiet way

while the message of you 
grew


© Ali Grimshaw 2021

An early Mother's Day poem.

Quadrille Monday on dVerse

			

	


			
				


	

			
Poems from the Circle
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 13 Comments					

				

		






up to me

fitting in is not required.
it’s not even necessary.
how could any of us fit
a mold that is not ours?
who made the mold anyway?
why did I never question this
generational imperative
to be someone or something
I was not ever intended to be –
or become?
I question it now.
I release it now – today.
I free myself to be…
me.
all that I am, and
all I can be is
up to
me.

By Carrie Cannady
April 2021
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. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. Tickets are by donation. 





Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 7, 10:00  am PDT. Register here

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 21, 8:30 am PDT. Register here
 

			

	


			
				


	

			
Just now – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 38 Comments					

				

		






Now as I remove it, I lay it down. It leans back on the bed relaxing into a stretch my stiff body is unable to replicate. It has protected me from the virus all day and expects to have some time off. I breathe in, stretch, and begin to wonder how many words it has caught in the past few months? Words I thought to express but didn't. I hesitate often with thought, with care for myself and others. I don't speak as quickly as I used to. It is not for lack of valuing my voice. It is that the past months have shifted me. In the last year I have wondered more than ever how my words will be heard and where they might land. 

Looking down now. I realize how often I redirected sentences into my mask instead of sending them. I see so many captured. There are layers of phrases. More than yesterday. Some scribbled from speaking to myself, some barely readable as they were spoken in a whisper under my breath. They are massed together. Jumbled softly in the woven fabric, an unusual relic. Is it worth saving? Is it worth deciphering these undelivered words? What could I learn if I used a magnifying glass to dig backward? 


revisit the past
there is wisdom in Spring rain
see today's blossoms

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Napowrimo 2021

Join us on dVerse for Haibun Monday

			

	


			
				


	

			
The Sound of Brilliance
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 17 Comments					

				

		






I am honored to have several poems included in the first anthology produced by The Short of It. These pages contain the remarkable work of forty-one unique poets and writers in a variety of forms and styles. They are astute observations about living, emotions, and our world.





You may purchase the paperback or the eBook from Amazon. Click the underlined link below for the version you would prefer.





Paperback
eBook





Thank you to Susi Blocks of, I Write Her, for including my poems. Click HERE for future submission information.





Thank you readers for supporting poetry.

			

	


			
				


	

			
Why bother?
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 30 Comments					

				

		

please
in consideration of
what won't be created, written
or healed

where we will work, play
and give

who won't be fed, sheltered, 
or freed

who won't be loved

what won't happen
if we don't 

unless we are at least a bit
bothered today



© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Come share your Quadrille on dVerse - HERE

Napowrimo 2021

			

	


			
				


	

			
Poetry has arms – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 44 Comments					

				

		






Poetry has arms 
to reach beyond borders
stretch across isles
swim channels of shame
while handing our fresh hankies
for tears of lost love

Poetry has arms
to hold, comfort, and allow
for all to be felt 
the sharp, the cut wide open
with acceptance
Poetry pushes no one away

All are welcome
through this doorway

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Come write with us.
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle
Fri, May 7, 2021 10:00 - 11:30 AM PDT
Click HERE for more information

Let me hold space for your voice.

Join a wonderful community of poets for dVerse Open Link Night - HERE


			

	


			
				


	

			
Someday – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 12 Comments					

				

		






When I grow up
I want to be a river

a flow of ease
clear and welcoming

reflecting forest green.

I want to feel the slide 
and shine over pebbles

smooth and freely 
wandering 

down the mountainside

no obstacles

only friends.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Day 12 of Na/GloPoWriMo. 
I went rouge with my urge for freedom and didn't follow the prompt.




			

	


			
				


	

			
What the Grieving Seek – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 24 Comments					

				

		

you believe that saying the right thing
will dissolve the pain, that you should
know how to ascend the sunken

afloat in powerlessness without
the words to reach the aggrieved
restore their hearts to harmony

don’t be swallowed by your lacking
the right words never have been
what the grieving seek

sufficient is whole face listening
eyes intent to bridge being
ears strong enough to hear
without changing the subject

and you can do that
anyone can
make that choice

First published on VITA BREVIS PRESS 2018


For those are are grieving today. I send this to you with love.