Author: Ali Grimshaw

On the Edge

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 21 Comments

According to her internal judge

she was never quite up to par,

even when she crossed the finish line first

she couldn’t own the accomplishment. Always

on the outside of the window, looking in.

Perplexed by separation. She wanted to belong,

and never wanted to fit in,

knew it would change her.

A part broken off to forever float away.

No one else stayed after class to console the bullied teacher.

It never occurred to her not to.

She saw those faces on the fringe,

secretly knowing she was an outlier as well.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

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In response to The Daily Post – Outlier

Each Morning

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 9 Comments

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“The best poetry has a magical quality—a sense of being more than the sum of its parts—and even when it’s impossible to articulate this sense, this something more, the power of the poem is left undiminished.” – How to Read a Poem from Poets.org

Happy National Poetry Month 2017

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Your First Home

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

Have you ever sat by the sea

listened to the voice in the waves

accompanied by the underwater drummers

pulling you back to a time

before words were spoken

a time of simultaneous floating

while anchored

a return to your first home

before your feet ever walked the earth?

 © Alicia Grimshaw 2017

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national poetry month

Want Ad

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 9 Comments

Wanted:

A listener.

Intent on feeling instead of hearing my words.

Eager to sift out the ones I have outgrown 

return those that call my name, carry me forward,

speak them like a trail to follow when I am lost.

Will utter truth even when it cracks my surface.

Incapable of withholding even a syllable of himself

with the knowing it will suffocate our tomorrows.

Who will remember my voice,

long after I’ve gone.

Curiosity a must.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shadow of beauty

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 21 Comments

In beauty’s shadow

a crisp line, clearly defined

elegance of shape

where darkness and light kiss,

yet keep their boundaries

brought forth by the sunlight

and those who choose to stand in it.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Photo by Kirsten Schwabel (Thank you Kirsten for the beauty.)

Happy National Poetry Day 2017

Rest

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments

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Something other than sleep

more like jumping into water of coolness.

Not dreamland, but renewal of returning,

more like the thrill of meeting someone new,

in the skin of an old friend.

Diversion from daily tunnels of thought.

When was the last time your bare feet felt

the smooth tile of the lobby?

The feel of breath leaving your body

an elevator going down

a return to the ground floor.

An entrance to rest.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Photo from Pixabay

 

 

 

She

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments

With faint light in her eyes

hair awry and wiry

trodden down starting from the top

in the yellow sweatshirt that’s

consuming her hands

she shrinks inside

before turning the corner

a slight curve of her mouth

less than half a smile

easily missed by those

who have already decided

who she is.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017