Author: Ali Grimshaw

Entangled

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 25 Comments

Cut yourself free

from the weight of all you have not forgiven

vitality constricted by past failures

a tangle of rope, that does not allow a full breath.

Tightening with each memory

of a time you did not stop it,

held mute as the words were flung your way,

didn’t stand up tall enough for yourself.

You carry fault for letting it happen.

Patterns of knots encircle your being.

Twisted, tight, wound round, a strangle of heavy.

If you would have been smarter, stronger, better …

tried just a little harder…

if you had only been more.

Use the knife, cut yourself free.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

womens-day-2110799_1920.pngI am taking a stand to eliminate violence against women. Thank you to all of the organizations who reach out to help women in need each day.

#BeBoldForChange – International Women’s Day 2017

Mantra

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

True words

are unsinkable

they rise to the top

like oil on the surface.

 

The rocks you tied to them

never enough weight to drown

what you didn’t want shared, temporarily

kept hidden under your tongue.

True words will escape, eventually

 

Your enclosed truth

held hostage by fear

wants to fly.

Let it.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017      Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Inspired by Monday Mantras and the word MANTRA -The literal Chinese translation of the word mantra is “true words.” Seek your truth and let this unique manta guide you through the week.  Mine is “Trust the journey.”

 

Before Sunrise

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

Her only precious possession was morning.

The first few seconds upon waking,

 

feet still in the land of the dreaming.

Those few sacred moments of stillness

 

before the world around surrounded her

reappearing in predictable sound and color

 

to force her into the structured daylight

a day when she was to lead

 

the one expected of her.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

image

Photo taken on my trip to Italy, summer 2016.

A letter from Spring

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 34 Comments

Dear ones,

I know you think me gone forever.

Tire of windwhipped ears, frozen fingers,

numb toes dancing in boots to regain feeling.

I noticed your hesitation at the door, a pause to brace yourself

before the blast of chill. Your hope pushed down deep,

warm in your pocket, is crumbling.

Before you go off on another rant let me point out,

Forsythia is blooming now, right next door.

Just when you can’t take another day

I will return,

a fresh bouquet in my hands.

Your ever loving and loyal,

Spring

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Photo taken right in my own neighborhood.

 

 

Music from the field

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments

If the grasses could sing,

a pure note from each blade

their chorus accompanied by

angled beams of light

on each swaying tip

beyond this

yet unheard melody

is my love for you.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

#Loveuary Challenge

Something you can count on.

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 30 Comments

The sky

it is never not there

will not leave a note goodbye

to disappear in the night.

Serenely blue, growl of gray

watercolored clouds a tumble

dependably ever-changing, yet

never forsaking.

When the curtain goes up at sunrise

a steadfast performance

worthy of an audience.

Don’t miss the show.

No tickets necessary.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

#Loveuary  Challenge – Celebrating today with a love poem for the sky.

Conversation on the beach

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments

The breeze picked up

your words were carried away

by the gusts. My heart on the beach alone

as we continued to walk, I remained

jealous of the wind

holding your words so close.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

 

Putting the pieces back

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 33 Comments

 

I will walk beside you. Fill your cracks

with care. Speak your strengths, over

and over until they are glue. Help you

see all truly beautiful things were once

broken. I will love you with abandon

pour a hot cup of tea. Search for your

missing shards. Pluck out sharp words

used for self-inflicted pain. Chant, cheer,

and call your name. I will run ahead

to look for danger and get behind to push.

But please know you have the final piece

to set in place. I can’t make you whole again.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Photo thanks to PIXABAY

#Loveuary Challenge 

 

Please don’t give up on love.

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments

enlight1

Go and find love today

for it surrounds us like

good soup from a friend,

sunlight through trees,

the laughter of children.

Give love today and you will

feel its touch.

Happy Valentine’s Day to my friends around the world!

The Open Space

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

love is an open space

not yet filled place

a hand reaching out

ready

without expectation

 

large, tiny, tattooed, wrinkled

skin darker or lighter

held out to you

love is there

if you return the

reach.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

#Loveuary and Love Day Blog Party at But I Smile Anyway…