After what seems like
cocooning within forever darkness
light breaks through.
Each bud tilts toward warmth
layers reveal themselves
open with ease of purpose.
Author: Ali Grimshaw
Take the First Exit to the Right: A poem for Parents
As you drive down the road of your day
I see you in a large convertible with your top down,
backseat sandwiched full of children.
In front of you, several large cargo trucks with unsecured loads,
packed quickly without care. The disbelief of it all.
You are following without another lane to change into.
I see you, white knuckled, hold on the steering wheel
as odd boxes and papers, like a flock, fly
toward your windshield to temporarily block your view.
Colliding with objects occasionally airborne.
You swerving with the responsibility of sheltering
your children from harm. All while they chatter
and throw questions at you from the rear seat.
A sensory whirlwind of sounds, movement and colors to navigate
as you drive. I see you seeking the stable horizon with your eyes,
to recenter, as events drop and plans bounce away. Readjusting
in the moment, with care, cussing and sometimes crying. Facing
the cracked windshield of the past week. Hair in your eyes, yet determined
to be all you can for your young ones. Your eyes are heavy with sleep.
I just want you to know that I have an empty garage.
Take the next exit to the right.
Yes, I can, and will shelter you for the night.
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
Dedicated to all of the parents navigating during COVID19. Remember to pull over and take breaks.
World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Healthy Parenting
Poetry Over Panic Online Writing Group
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
As the world shifts, I am looking for ways to give. With all the emotions swirling, we are faced with finding healthy ways to process them. Reflective writing using poetry has met that need for me and others I have written with. This is why I have created some group writing circles to provide this for others.
My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity. It would be especially wonderful to write with others across the globe. If this calls you you please click the link for a free ticket.
Poetry Over Panic: Women’s Writing Circle for Positive Self Reflection
“Poetry provides guidance, revealing what you did not know you knew…” John Fox
We are stronger when we lean on and learn from one another.
Join me as we continue forward into the unexpected.
Love,
Ali
End of the Rope – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
The rope winds gently around my waist,
twisted, smoothly strong by years of mistakes,
trying again, doubt and wondering how.
Thick with memories of others who
believed with the strength of solid ground.
Believed that all earthquakes eventually stop shaking.
Believed in soil’s ability to grow what we need next.
The end of this rope was handed to me long ago.
A generous lifeline offered for free
to keep me on the planet.
Now I look down at the rope in my calloused hands,
threads of the millions, an explosion of frayed ends,
their forgivings, endurance,
the woven learnings of my ancestors.
The rope loops back and around me,
over and over,
then off into the distance.
I don’t need to see the end now
to trust it is anchored deeply somehow.
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
Inspired by William Stafford’s poem “The Way It Is”
dVerse – Final Couplet Prompt
Photo taken in on my last trip, Château de Suscinio in France.
Caremongering – poem by Ali Grimshaw
house to house
neighbor to neighbor
kindness dissemination
this unstoppable virus of care
magical movement spread rampant
the isolated
blanketed with warmth
by open offers, action compassion
waves of encouragement through the window
one errand for survival at a time
an escalation of tenderness
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille “Magic”
Coronavirus: Kind Canadians start ‘caremongering’ trend
Because Now – poem by Ali Grimshaw
on the beach I begin
because now I am ready
and so are you
to turn our fear into fuel
build a bonfire to bring warmth
for all now sitting in cold darkness
I start with kindling of prejudice
add sticks of anger
a log of fear
a heavy round of anxiety
watch the flames ignite to hot glow
come close and sit with me now
add your logs to this burning pyre
hate and terror blaze brightly with heat
finally an efficient use for their energy
let’s watch
as flames of love
devour all that we
believe we cannot face
to singe away, char and reform
all that has been holding us back
love knows how to transform
create a burning
to warm us all through
this dark night.
come to the beach
now we are ready
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
I’m Gonna Walk It With You
“Well it looks like it might be a hard road but I’m gonna walk it with you.
And you know that you might have a heavy load but I can carry some too.”
This song is carrying me forward. I am learning the words. I am singing out even when my voice doesn’t sound pretty. Music heals and keeps us breathing. Sing yourself through the day. Here is the Youtube video. “I’m Gonna Walk It With You” by Brian Claflin and Ellie Grace
All of us
together
while separate
singing softly, for life
as we walk this road
let’s share the load
come together, while apart
in love.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Sending love to all those who are scared, worried, sheltering in place. Please let me know how you are doing. I am available to listen and write with you via skype, facetime or whatsapp. Together we will get through this.
Pep Talk – poem by Ali Grimshaw
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
Show up.
Be your
unique colors.
That’s enough.
Even when you doubt.
Even when you think it won’t work.
Even when you’re scared.
Show up.
That’s enough.
Those that came before
did just that.
Day after day
after day.
Show up.
Stand up.
Speak up.
Stop to listen from your heart.
Breathe.
You are ok.
Now repeat.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Photo taken in NYC July 2019
Singing through the cracks
And they sang
through the cracks of pain
through the wandering worries
through the regrets, determined desires
to be true to their calling hearts.
And they sang
because song was needed
because together their voices lifted
because all else didn’t make sense
because they could.
And others joined the circle
and they sang.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Join me at the next song circle. Simply Singing Song Circle in Portland, Oregon with Carole Marie Downing
The River Knows – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
– John Muir
In slowing my pace to lightly step
I saw the power of the hummingbird
defeating the odds again
to fly, even though science says it shouldn’t be able.
I leaned on the elder tree that stood through hurricanes.
Touched sprouts forcing through cracked concrete.
Studied a cactus with magenta bloom
in the desperate dry landscape.
Outside I found my mentors.
Along singing creek waters, trails of bright birdsong
and pausing in cliffside meadows where the ocean roars.
I heard the strength of the outside.
The river knows where it is going
and I will follow it.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
photo by antilandscpaper 2-26-20
Hummingbirds have been baffling scientists for years. Matt Ransford commented, “The hummingbird is an animal that by all rights shouldn’t be able to fly” (Popular Science). But not only can this bird fly, it is the only bird able to fly forwards, backward, up, down, sideways, upside down, and even hover. – Mar 23, 2012
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 