why are we so afraid of
the tender, exposure of
inside, gently cradled by
toughness skinned over
unconscious callousness
from days of survival,
thick with not letting
anyone in, to touch
the real, born within us.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
THE TENDERNESS PROJECT IS AN EXPERIMENT IN RADICAL EMPATHY CURATED BY ROSS GAY AND SHAYLA LAWSON. IT RECOGNIZES THE TENDERNESSES THAT APPEAR IN THE MARGINS AND LIGHTS THESE TINY SPACES.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 
If only all the people were as sensitive as you are, the world would have been a great place to be in.
Loved your poem. You have a great imagery and amazing expressions, talented writer!🌸
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What a thoughtful response. It truly fills my heart to hear these words from you. I write to give. I write to connect. No one should be alone. Have a beautiful day.
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Oh Ali, what an incredible act of self-love––to let down the protective walls and reveal what’s real. I am going to share this poem for Forgiving Fridays, I can see it helping my readers to allow themselves to be truly seen. Thank you.
Your poem reminds me a bit of a quote by my spiritual mentor, J-R. Here it is:
“Perfect vulnerability is perfect protection.”
So much love to you, Ali. ❤ Have a beautiful weekend!
Love and Light,
Debbie
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Debbie,
Thank you for continuing to acknowledge my words. I write to give. Your thoughtful responses keep me sharing. I am always happy to be a part of Forgiving Fridays.
Be well and may love land on you today.
Ali
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It is a risk only if you are concerned how others perceive you. But whether or not we are will to share our honesty, our internal truth, others still will form a perception of us — so I believe give them the truth, then don’t worry about what they think. People of substance will find something of value for themselves. The phony pretentious twits aren’t worth worrying about. So I believe YES, sharing truth is the only investment of time in writing that has any worth. All else is a waste of time, for writer and reader. IMHO
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I stand with you on this. Why be anything else than your bold and uniquely wonderful self. Have a beautiful day.
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Because we are all insecure at our core Ali, knowing we a re both fragile and ,mortal. Thank you for sharing your piece here, and for putting yourself out there in your words!
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Rob, it is always a risk to share the tender insides of who we are but I think it is what makes life worth living. Don’t you?
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I think many of us have forgotten that thick skin we are wearing… we only carry its weight.
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Agreed. Skin thickens over time and we can become unconscious to our callousness. This makes me want to add to my poem. Thanks for your reflection.
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Beautiful. The “tender” is so necessary in this world.
I tried to click on the link to the project but it didn’t work? Would love to know more about it.
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Thanks Mish. I will work to fix the link. Have a great day.
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Vulnerability is, in its own way, a gift. It opens us to respond to others’ needs. Lovely project you are a part of.
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Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts.
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…to touch
the real, born within us.
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Thank you my friend. Keep sharing your tender side.❤️
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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That’s a good question, Ali! It can be so hard to let others see our true selves and to let ourselves be vulnerable. I’m not really sure why….
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So very true Ali, and beautifully written as always.
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Thank you for letting me know that my words touched your day.
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Excellent poem on tenderness, Ali and I loved the apt picture too.
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I appreciate your response. May love land on you today.
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Thanks dear Amy and same to u too 😊😊😊😊😊
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Beautiful ❤️
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Thank you Sue. I hope we never let fear stop us from sharing our tender side.
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I feel gentleness from you Ali.
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I appreciate hearing that.
I’m sending love. So many people are in need of it.🌎
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We truly, all, are.
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Nice one Ali. To tenderness..
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Brad, I know you are a supporter of peace and I appreciate your support of my poetry.
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You’re most welcome. And yes, I’m big on peace. 🙏
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Beautiful Ali, it is so needed in the world, and when we can be vulnerable with each other, we feel connected and can heal.
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Agreed. We need to keep taking the risk of being vulnerable with each other. Thank you Karen for standing with me.
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Lovely 🙏
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Thank you Val. May the tender in us not be lost.❤️
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This is so good! Very timely post!
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I feel that there’s a lot of protection going on in the world .I understand this need but it is keeping us from connecting with each other.
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yes, I agree!
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