“It’s not the weight you carry
but how you carry it –
books, bricks, grief –
it’s all in the way
you embrace it, balance it, carry it
–from Mary Oliver, “Heavy”
untold stories swallowed whole
like stones in your belly
can fly when spoken
alight on trusted shoulders
go reside elsewhere
write your untold narratives
scribble pain into delicate beauty
burn those
you are finished reading
ignite just enough heat
vitality is drawn to warmth
© Ali Grimshaw 2021
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flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 
Def.. was it intentional?
There seems to be something deeper from what I’ve read about contributions in other poems. Imaginatios somewhat revolve around what we can relate to.
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When a poem resonates with many who read it then it makes me think that the words may have captured a feeling or truth about what it means to be human. This is a theory in progress.
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Something like that, yeah… 🙏🙏
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The opener sets the pace.
untold stories swallowed whole
like stones in your belly
can fly when spoken…
Very reflective.
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Thank you for your reflection. These seem to be the lines that speak most to those reading. Isn’t that interesting. This leads me to further pondering.
I appreciate your contribution.
Be well.
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I really like: “untold stories swallowed whole
like stones in your belly”
There is so much in those two lines.
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Thank you for reflecting back the words that resonated with you. I appreciate that greatly.
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You’re very welcome.
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Thanks for reminding me. I question whether my words matter when there are so many important voices in the world. It if matters to you then that fills my heart. I am enough.
Sending you love to overflowing.
Ali
Make a memory today.
On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 2:47 PM flashlight batteries – Ali Grimshaw wrote:
> Ali Grimshaw posted: ” “It’s not the weight you carry but how you carry it > – books, bricks, grief – it’s all in the way you embrace it, balance it, > carry it –from Mary Oliver, “Heavy” untold stories swallowed whole like > stones in your belly can fly when spoken alight on t” >
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Exactly! Sometimes the most important thing we can do is to let go of the burdens that weigh us down. You have a knack for saying very profound things in just a few words.
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Thanks for letting me know they spoke to you. Stay warm
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“untold stories swallowed whole like stones in your belly can fly when spoken,” … this line just stuns, Ali! Gorgeous write 💝💝
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Thank you so much.
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I think sometimes you need to burn the words you have written… but maybe keeping the ashes is good.
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I hear you. What to keep and what to discard forever and what to hold onto after its been reformed. Poetry is a fabulous tool for this.
Make it a great day.
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warm and fire
use oxygen
pure fire
would burn out and up
cold to bold
old
wise
not always
in mine nor your eyes
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Thank you for reflecting back.
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i would hope feedback is part of our role here. yw
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I appreciate it greatly. I wish to connect authentically with others around the world. We are all traveling through space together.
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well kind of .
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Writing can be such great therapy! And I like the idea of burning the words you no longer need and moving on 🙂
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Ingrid,
Starting over or starting again is an important part of living. Glad to hear you like this one.
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What a powerful quote and I love your words Ali, they’re tinged with lightness and hope. 🙏
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Great to hear from you. I do my best to bring hope to others through my words.
Hugs from across the ocean.
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A good practice – I don’t do this often, but it has helped me big time a few times.
Beautifully presented.
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Fine work, Ali G. I esp like the concept of scribbling pain into delicate beauty. Well done!
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Thanks Ron. Scribbling sounds like relief. I don’t know why we give it up as adults.
Take care.
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Such a lovely, poignant piece.
Love this line, especially:
“scribble pain into delicate beauty”
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Thank you for visiting. Much appreciated.
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Lies and accusations really are rocks in the belly! and words fitly spoken can bring life to the soul.
Well done Ali… Love your poem.
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Thank you. Writing can give flight to what can weigh us down inside.
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Yes is can and does!
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Lovely Ali, and these 2 lines resonate with me…
“write your untold narratives
scribble pain into delicate beauty”
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Ivor,
I appreciate your reflection. I hope the sun is shining for you today.
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deeply warm and hopeful, it brings joy just to read it … great quote
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It’s now on mine too! ❤
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untold stories swallowed whole
like stones in your belly
can fly when spoken
alight on trusted shoulders
go reside elsewhere
So delicately beautiful how you you weave these truths with words.
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Great to hear from you, my yoga poetry friend. Thanks for letting me know what spoke to you in this poem. I hope you are well and thriving.
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😊🙏🏼💛✨
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There is so much truth in your poem. So much to release, “write your untold narratives”. Loved this♥
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Sue,
I have found with myself and with others the amazing power of writing it down.
Thanks for letting me know my words reached you today.
I would love to have the opportunity to write with you someday if it speaks to you.
I enjoy your poetry.
Ali
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Thanks for the Oliver quote – love her! Your poem is thoughtful and evocative. Well done.
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Beverly
I appreciate you sitting with my words today. Wishing you wellness and vitality.
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yes vitality is a way we can stay positive.
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Feeling all that needs to be felt is an ongoing process. Poetry helps me return to vitality.
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Thanks for sharing.
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Simply beautiful…deeply truthful. 💖 This reminds me of what I’m processing…namely making things more difficult than they need to be, only for myself. My dreams have been very informative of this, of late. Thank you for this lovely reflection.
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Carrie,
It is a gift to hear from you and know that my poem reached you today. Feeling it all deeply is who you are and I love who you are.
Take care of your heart.
Ali
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💖
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Beautiful and hopeful.
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Louise,
I am glad you heard the hope in this. I wasn’t sure if it came through. Thanks for reflecting back how it landed for you.
Hope you are staying warm and cozy in your studio. Maybe sometime I can visit you there.
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Oh yes Ali. The hope most definitely settled light, light as a feather, in my heart.
And OMG!!! Wouldn’t that be amazing!!!! I would so love it. Make it happen. Soon! Ok. As soon as Covid is no longer the threat. And the borders reopen! ❤
It is warm and coy here — it's also lovely outside! We've gotten above freezing for the past few days. Such a lovely relief!
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It is so wonderful to think of traveling to you and making art in your studio. What a happy thought for a rainy cold day. I will put it on my bucket list for the future.
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