Author: Ali Grimshaw

Seeking a Brain Transplant

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments
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She covets the minds of others,
organized, tidy, check the box off
followers of clear roads
neatly folded maps
who open to straight paths
traveling without distraction
of multiple dead ends
confusion of curlicues
to land efficiently
destination, spot on time.
Dreary haunts of defeat
her relapse into darkness
a mind off course, tunneling elsewhere
moving toward an endless horizon
without a line between earth and sky
to distinguish
what hole she fell into
this time.
This is a revised version of the poem published on Versewrights Looking back and rewriting this as a process of reflection and celebration. Thank you Versewrights for sharing my poems with your readers. Today I encourage you to embrace your process over the temporary product. The my last page has not been written yet.
Please share a poem that you have rewritten in the comments section. Let me give space to acknowledge your process.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
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Lull

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments

IMG_6983

 

Leaves play tag in the breeze

as cars chase green lights.

I am the only stillness

in the city this hour.

 

Living without permission

no need to ask, “Am I allowed?”

The leaves don’t ask to dance

down the sidewalk.

 

I grant myself this moment

this sunlight soak before

winter darkness.

 

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Temporary

 

 

 

 

 

Clarity

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

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What used to feel immense

bewildering to follow

was now only steps away

like a runway lit up

with clear directional intention

 

She knew. Undeniable as the sky

the river of calm inside her.

This choice as easy as avoiding

sidewalk cracks. And there he stood.

 

Touching him. Toward together.

Their waters join

to flow toward the ocean.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

 

Round and Round

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

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Jump,            leap,                crawl and claw

there is a world outside

the hamster wheel.

You can step off,    drop chains of thought

fall into peace.

Your forgotten power,       remains inside,

no superhero costume

necessary.

Only willingness,   rejection of old pattern,

refusal of squeaky wheel,

one step,                                         to the side.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Rounded  Barcelona 2017

Distraction

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

image

Blurred branches of feeling

the intersection of “Not good enough,”

and “You fell for that again?”

awkward limbs that cross

and cross again in confusion. While inches

of growth reach, stretch toward light.

The turbulent angles discretely covered

by feathered orange deliciousness.

A fancy distraction,

just like my sunglasses and hat

a layer of colors,

the perfect cover up to keep

my crack of failure private.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Orange

 

Weather Forecast

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

 

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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

Glow

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hesitation

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments

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Like the filthy inside out sock

squished at the bottom of the hamper

under stench of damp rags.

 

Life can feel like that place.

 

Maybe it is time to do some laundry.

There is no rule, no prize for

handling it alone,

an unnecessary isolation.

 

The borrowed red sweatshirt

arms wide on the top of the mound

is not an accidental reminder of love.

 

Call. Just call.

Call before you change your mind.

That someone has seen dirt before

and will listen.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

If you are struggling today check out this blog, The Mighty, You are not alone.

 

 

Succumb To The Season

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 28 Comments

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Will you?

Fall, drift, yield

hand in hand,

warm kiss of palms,

veins of life intertwined,

before we,

plunge through crispness

to the other side

of golden.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Succumb

Firecracker Phrases

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

 

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Now I sit in thought with

what I wish

I would have said

instead of that which came flying off my tongue

like butterflies leaving my mouth

beautiful at first sight

fluttering innocently toward you

with a closer look

upon landing

were really illegal firecrackers

of golden red that

left you speechless.

I’m sorry.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Forgive your mistakes. Forgiving Connects.