Author: Ali Grimshaw

Sky View – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 22 Comments 










If we reject who we are
bent feathers
flawed and perfect as a sparrow

we will lose the chance to know
what it means to fly with love

to know its power of lift
to feel it under our wings
to rest on its currents 

letting us soar without effort
until we are restored 
ready for the next journey skyward

when we have lost our belief in flight
we don't need to learn how to fly
just remember 

we were born knowing how

©Ali Grimshaw 2021


I was inspired to write this morning after listening to Mary Oliver read her poem. Click on this link to listen to her. 
 - Mary Oliver: I Happened to be Standing

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Photo of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon 2021.





			

	


				
					


				
					


	

			
Not just another day – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 4 Comments					

				

		






via Crocus blossom — Vova Zinger’s Photoblog





each day a reaching 
of outward iridescence
threaded violet choices

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Thank you to Vova Zinger for granting permission to share this inspiring photo as an accompaniment to my poem. I have followed Voya's photography blog for quite a while. His images are fantastic. 

I love writing with people from around the world. Come share your voice within the writing circle. You may be surprised how the words can flow forth with ease. All voices welcome.

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How I Knew – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 37 Comments					

				

		






This tastes like the memory
of that simmering summer day.

I held a buttercup flower
under your chin, declaring
with the yellow glow of your skin,

"You like butter."

When you said, "Let me try,"

I knew we would be friends.

You were another
who wanted to see 
the colors for herself.

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

For Eugenia's prompt - Happiness

Give yourself space to let go 
Give yourself time to listen inward
Give yourself freedom to be

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For Shelby – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 38 Comments					

				

		






"All you have to do is write one true sentence.
Write the truest sentence that you know."
― Ernest Hemingway

round and wound snugly tight
we wrapped you 
with pockets of air 
to let the cold hurt breathe
before exhaling it with the laughter 

each small stitch a holding
of our unraveled hearts 
circled colors hitched secure
with homemade memory patterns 
our shared stories under stars

love appliqued for the winter months
loops small and strong to hold your weight in the wind
to keep your dreams collectively connected
securely anointed with our goodbye tears
tucked in tight for all nights

you will never be left
outside this handwoven
circle of arms

in each departing hand
a yarn of length kept warm
to remember you
in tomorrow's pocket

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Dedicated to Shelby Case, reporter, writer and friend.

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Photo take in Bellingham, WA.

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Topography – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 50 Comments					

				

		






Thinly sliced sections of her heart

carefully laid bare

an inner dissection

to find the magnificence of awe

that is her heartwisdom.


Following faded peak moments 

mindfully mapped on her skin. 

Elevations reached, views of reckoning

and contours fallen from while yearning

led to an evolution of her topography.


She continues to traverse past valleys

while climbing toward her next becoming 

still a proposed expedition.


© Alicia Grimshaw Rewrite from 2019

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Access – A Poem By Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 31 Comments					

				

		






a poem is a door
opening backward
or sliding sideways
for full human viewing

a poem invites Awe's cousin
Curiosity, to join you for a seat
on a soft metaphor
then reminds you to lean back

a poem offers scaffolding 
for fear, for wonder
for whatever arrives next
with structure and airflow 
so nothing gets too stagnant

including you 
and passing light
through a green passageway

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Photo taken in Porto, Portugal.

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A Poet’s Flame – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 17 Comments					

				

		

“They started to burn the poets 





But ash makes for more fertile soil.” – Khet Thi 











if they are only words
if they are only lines scratched in stone
if only poems from one heart 
how could they be so dangerous
to those with guns

so threatening 
that the flame of one 
must be put out

so powerful
that extinguishing one
wasn't enough

I hear the call of lost poets
their voices speak on 

to those willing to receive 

their light






I was stunned by this article, Where Poets Are Being Killed and Jailed After a Military Coup by Hannah Beech, New York Times. In honor of these lost poets I wanted to share their story. These words of mine feel so inadequate and that is why I am promising to remember the courage of these poets whenever I doubt the power of poetry.





May we find peace.





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Photo by Paul Bulai on Unsplash

			

	


				
					


	

			
Snapshot – Poem By Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 61 Comments					

				

		

“Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” 
– The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, 2013 –





your arms around me
encircled together
heart to heart

someday I will touch a photo
this moment's embrace
replaying this day

until then
I am noticing the feeling
while I still have you near

I am memorizing the shape
of holding you
holding me

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Photo of my son and I on my birthday 2020. 

Poetics on dVerse Poets Pub - Come join the fun HERE.