Sifting – Poem By Ali Grimshaw

January 9, 2021January 20, 2021 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 18 Comments

Palms upward as hands face sky 
open spaces between fingers relaxing
into what has been a time of gentle 
and harsh scrubbing of the heart. 
Every inch of skin Brillo pad raw. 
An exfoliation of what has been. 
My fists, no longer clenched 
in tight survival, trust in slow unfurling.
Pain tingling as blood returns to fingertips.
Learning feet reground my trunk 
to an upright position, toes rooted 
past sand into bedrock. Freeing now
agile hands to sift through the helpful lessons 
caught in my soft palms as promises
while unneeded thoughts fall through finger spaces
to join other decomposing conversations 
of days when I didn't know listening.
Composting the no longer serviceable
into nutrients for the new words to come.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Renewal Through Writing

January 6, 2021 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

Coming together, across great distance to cherish poems and write together is hope in action. It is my heart work to facilitate a safe space to hear your inner voice and experience authentic connect. Wherever you live I would love to meet you. No writing experience needed. All voices welcome.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Sundays

Poems from the Circle

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments

Curious

I knew I was not up to it
this thing called life.
I was as if nameless
not seen and without 
countenance or provenance
And so from the beginning
I have been curious
with what I could be
even who I could be.
It’s been a road.
But what a delight 
finding out.
What blissful joy
to discover the secrets of oneself.
To see the patchwork 
patterns revealed.
Even moments of brilliance.
I look on with wonder
and I ponder 
where do you suppose
all that life came from?

By Lilli Ann Carey

I am grateful for Lilli Ann's permission to share her poem 
from a recent writing circle. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a safe place. 
Curious about writing yourself forward as 2021 unfolds?
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Rooted – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

January 1, 2021January 7, 2021 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 54 Comments

“Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet / confinement of your aloneness / to learn / anything or anyone / that does not bring you alive / is too small for you.” – David Whyte

tug and pull, I must

still it doesn’t fit anymore

not after this year

hundreds of breaths have past

in between arrivals and goodbyes

and I am changed

now I have new thoughts

I pull on like the wool sweater

you used to wear on your

most difficult of days.

Thoughts that have rooted

myself to you

intertwined with the me

I have yet to meet.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

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Happy New Year!

Wishing you deep full breaths of peace.

Blindsighted – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

December 26, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 28 Comments

As we stand together
the ocean’s roar a comfort
lullaby of constant.

You squeeze 
my hand. I echo
the motion in return.

Reliable rolling waves,
we count on
when the world is crashing.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Solstice Lanterns – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

December 20, 2020December 16, 2022 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments



When the crack widens to an unknown view
fear can squeeze in between rough edges 

slide to expand like a balloon of darkness
a barricade of shadow to seal the entrance.

Yet seekers of light will never be fooled by tricks of perspective
their wisdom of the season's shifting songs sing them forward.

Eyes of love, illumination for all
allowing forgiveness to set another place at the table

where lanterns burn long into the night.

 © Ali Grimshaw 2022

Encountering a Listener – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

December 8, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 62 Comments

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night – Gibran

 when your words unchanged return, are heard
 when your song, echoed notes of hue, comes back to you
 when belonging becomes your word
 a melting occurs, gray absorbed by blue
 watercoloring you into the canvas of all
 becoming whole, no longer fearing the fall 

 Then all the colors of you are revealed
 poured forth onto the listening canvas
 of this moment. 

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

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Weather Forecast – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

December 5, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 36 Comments

Light does not fall on us equally.
There are hours of gentle illumination, while some remain in shadow.
Random flashes which leave you for no reason at the front of the line.
Or the end, randomly burned, scorched,
with head shaking disbelief. Tranquil dusk light on leaves.
Other days blinded into paralysis, unable to see a way forward.

I remain in a thundercloud waiting room, counting shadows like minutes.
Weatherizing my soul before the next hurricane.
Steadfast, determined in my stance, for a return of the glow
In stillness it will find me.
Sun’s warm hand on my back again.
This too shall pass

Ali Grimshaw 2017

Weather Forecast was first published on Vita Brevis 
Vita Brevis Press is a bestselling small publisher dedicated
to emerging and established poets, circulating their work 
in an online magazine and in physical anthologies.

Poems from the Circle

December 1, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

I come into the Peace …… 
(from Wendell Berry) 

I come into the peace of the invitation of Light
From time to time I misplace this invitation Divine-
I even lose the map that used to take me home to you…. 
To Peace
But then after a simple invitation to write my heart
I am reminded of my Beauty
Your Beauty and the essence of life and 
Light. 

By Bahareh Amidi Ph.D.

I am grateful for Bahareh's permission to share her poem 
from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing people 
across different time zones. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a safe place. 
Interested in joining a writing circle?
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

For more about Bahareh, her poetry and contributions
to others as a Poetry Therapist follow the links below.
Website: www.bahareh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaharehAmidi
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BaharehAmidi
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/BaharehLIVE

Together

November 29, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

Writing together can:
• Surprise us. Mend us. Renew us.
• Allow expression of feelings in creative ways.
• Guide our own journey.

Coming together, with folks I have never met, across great distance
to cherish poems and write together is hope in action. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space to hear your inner voice and experience authentic connect with others. So wherever you live I would love to meet you. Click on the links below for more information.