Like drops of rain
your temporary presence is
sliding away in moments
reflected in your eyes.
I ache with holding the love
and the loss to come
while we dance in this final day.
What is there to say
that we have not already lived?
The moment will soon arrive
a storm inside me
words a jumble on my tongue
there is no good way to watch you
walk back to your other life.
© Ali Grimshaw 2016
The path we share sometimes forks.
Here a place to pause among trees.
Conversations in layers like leaves on the forest floor.
Shadows arrive, shake us with views of separate routes.
I kiss your hand with love as I release it.
Fly above the forest if you are called to.
I will not let you deny yourself
to keep us on the same path.
Together we can travel
only if
you will still seek.
© Alicia Grimshaw revised version 2017
Why is it that the words on your lips
do not match your face?
A perplexing incongruence
leaving me wondering which to trust
the sweet promise of your mouth or
the words my soul knows to be the truth.
© Ali Grimshaw
Between the pain and sorrow
in a very thin space
is a new beginning
a sliver of light that can only be seen
if you dare to look into
eyes that belong to you alone.
© Ali Grimshaw
In between us lies an agreement
a foundational love that maps our conversations
guiding us through fear back to true north
when we have lost our way
in the world of our own emotions.
© Ali Grimshaw
shadows on the deck grow longer
leading the way to closure
the words in my mouth hide
they don’t know how to cooperate
with all that my heart
wishes to say.
© Ali Grimshaw
Pulled from sleep by fears of failure.
Stumbling down a hallway of thought.
Was it lack of effort, stubbornness
or a tunnel of perspective with only one exit,
that lead me to this worried space
awake before the sun has risen?
© Ali Grimshaw
The sun on my skin
inspiration of blue sky.
The bright taste of sunrise
juice of summer peach dripping off my chin.
Forgiving myself with ease,
every day.
© Ali Grimshaw
Years from now
yearning for the body I have today
with its imperfections and pain.
My gnarled fingers and I will laugh.
How could I have known
the fluidity I possessed.
© Ali Grimshaw
Sometimes I think back on that night.
Your eyes intent on explaining, a look of determination,
of wanting to give.
I remember trying to hear you,
wanting to understand and failing to understand.
With each new telling, static filling the room.
Making adjustments to find your frequency.
Unable to tune you in.
Now I am left wondering.
What was it you so badly wanted me to know.
Feeling like I couldn’t get to the airport in time,
before your message took flight.
© Ali Grimshaw
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 