Alone is different
than loneliness.
connection, a link, from one to the other.
not trusting, disbelief, an arm’s length away.
impenetrable invisible cushion
keeps me hidden even
when you think I am there.
Will I let you know me?
The jury is still out.
© Ali Grimshaw
Right now, sitting in this chair
the distance covered remains unseen.
Many treacherous miles between your first step
and where you have now arrived.
Climb the roof. Stand tall upon it.
Without hesitation see the trodden path
streams crossed, soggy socks, sunburnt ears
blistered, lost toenails, a little bruised.
Criss-cross scratches, hillside slides.
There is no shame for the road traveled.
You have traversed
this view is for you alone.
© Alicia Grimshaw
Are you sorry for the times
you tore me down
scathing words that left me
stumbling for cover
pounding me lower
knowing there wasn’t an escape route
trapped with this internal voice
causing a shrinking of my essence
down to a single drop of
fear?
© Ali Grimshaw
Say your words,
don’t let your voice whither inside.
Weariness can talk you into thinking that your voice doesn’t matter.
The past may try to convince you that your voice doesn’t count.
Resignation will yell,
“No one will listen any way, so save your breath.”
Say your words
clearly and just loud enough.
Say them for yourself and for the one
that isn’t willing to be the first to speak,
but can and will be the second.
© Ali Grimshaw
Sometimes we push comfort away when we need it most. Fear keeps us from opening our arms. Desperate times are more difficult when you face them alone. Let someone see the true you and allow yourself to be comforted.
I will sing you comfort when your voice forgets the notes.
I will sing you a clearing in the forest,
a place to feel the warm sun on your back.
I will sing you courage for days when you
need to hear the music again.
© Ali Grimshaw
I see hope in your eyes.
A flash of light that has been absent.
Just a sliver of believing,
you never thought you could hold.
A small beacon inside,
beginning to send out its light
after a long darkness.
© Ali Grimshaw
The falling rain washing clean the road,
pooling for the birds,
freeing the leaves.
These many drops,
falling like the sky wants to share,
a blessing for so many.
Looking at my upturned face,
you wonder why I yearn for dark clouds to let loose.
Pouring forth all they have been holding.
The sky’s release streams down my head, my cheeks.
A trickle drips from my nose tip.
The storm and I let this wind blow through.
The raindrops hiding,
what you will never know,
are tears on my face.
© Ali Grimshaw
Now is not the time for tomorrow’s thinking.
Living for when I get there and happiness lands.
Someday solutions for formulaic bliss.
A machine of future making.
Now, is life.
Remove the heavy hat of suffering.
Hang up the wool coat that has been passed down to you.
Slip off the leaden shoes denying your right to skip.
Let your toes feel the mud between them.
Hear the sounds in this space.
Just be,
be your own answer.
© Ali Grimshaw
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 