Receiving – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw 
The messages kept landing
paper birds like folded airplanes from the sky.

Confetti of voices wanting to be heard
swirling of anger, colors of hurt, colliding confusion
spiraling to crash on the ground.

We hold our hands out to catch them
scattering in the street to pick up the fallen.

Each message, a precious life with wings
a paper bird in need of repair.

We sit in a circle and begin to unfold 
cupping our hands, just one at a time 
listening to its life of song.

It is like we have always known what was needed.
We knew we would stay as long as it took to give the listening
for each bird to be heard. It was clear. It was not a burden.

As we gently passed them from one hand to another, 
one by one around the circle, 
the sky opened to us all.
© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse  ~ Poets Pub, Open Link Night with Linda
Share your voice and read the poems of others.

This poem is a reflection on the writing circles I have hosted. I will continue to offer a safe space of refuge for others to be seen and heard just as they are. Love is always the way forward.

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60 thoughts on “Receiving – Poem by Ali Grimshaw”

  7. ❤ I love the imagery of the circle and passing the origami birds to each other. There is much power in circles like you describe. "the sky opened to us all" is such a hopeful conclusion.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. It is like we have always known what was needed.
    We knew we would stay as long as it took to give the listening
    for each bird to be heard. It was clear. It was not a burden.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. A toast to dawn after the bleakest of nights, light in the end of the tunnel, and good times after hard days. Here’s to hope, that in someway or the other is always alive

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Ali, I do so like this vivid poem. Can see the paper messages floating down. Trying to just calmly
    take each one in and not panic.

    Love is always the way forward. Yes. I have used this in one of my poems too. May it one day be
    the way.

    Miriam

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. What a wonderful image of paper birds and confetti of voices wanting to be heard, Ali! I would love to catch a paper bird and read its message, and that is what has happened with your poem. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Carrie,
      I am glad to hear that it rang true for you. This poem is also a reflection on the many who have been traumatized in our country and need listening to heal. Thank you for sharing the journey of 2020 with me my friend. Love to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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