Can you be
with your own silence?
Walking with yourself
wherever you go
naked
or clothed in words
that warm
or weigh you down.
Will you mirror
a friendly listener
hear your own voice
gently?
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
Shadows in Kauai, Hawaii 2018
Today’s challenge is to write a poem that ends with a question. This poem was inspired by a fellow blogger, Pragalbha’s post. Thank you for the inspiration. I wrote this after reading her words today, “Being With Myself”
among fallen plaster of
disrepair, wrinkles of error
some think irredeemable
your locked layers of reasons
defenses built room by room
the unkissable past revealed
you wait for the wrecking ball
Yet I hear a heartbeat not broken
beyond salvage
your pulse sings strong.
© Ali Grimshaw (rewrite) 2019
Photo taken in Venice, Italy
Knee deep in, “I can’t believe I said that.”
Toes numbed by the cold reality
while echoed words play inside your head.
Let the current caress errors of grime
wash away the mistaken mud of this day
to return to the raw, tender tingle.
Step out onto the bank of clean sheets
let new beginnings drip from your feet.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
It is a continual process to unweave
that which is truth from story. I pull
a thread, remove one line, observe how
the fabric changes, notice the new spaces
breathing between essential threads
that remain, a skeleton of existence
until extracting the unneeded
leaves what is left, sparsely resilient
penetrable light of a future once blocked
by memories tightly woven.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2018
With all that is currently happening in the U.S. and the world, I feel the need to reshare this poem, Visiting With Chaos.There is an opportunity in the messiness of life. Will we choose to be loving learners or give up to fear?
Thank you to Vita Brevis, The Modern Poetry Magazine for publishing my poem. Click on the link to read it. – Visiting With Chaos
Sending love and a reminder that you are not alone.
Ali
what must we pay for
our history, a fresh start
seaward in one boat.
Na/GloPoWriMo – April is National/Global Poetry Writers Month
Willing my body to enter the room
a mountain of mortification on my back
being seen while craving camouflage.
Owning the me that showed up
failure and intention, the human package
tied up with a bow of expectations.
While seeking an empty seat,
I investigate shedding shame, cast off
of the past. Owning my skin before
molting of forgiveness.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Sintra, Portugal 2017 – Weathered
When the crack widens
to an unknown view.
Fear seeks this space
between rough edges
quickly slides in
expanding like a balloon
a barricade of shadow to
seal the sides solid.
Yet seekers of light
will never be blinded
by such tricks of perspective.
When eyes look with love
illumination is present and
forgiveness sets another place
at the table.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Dedicated to the shortest day of the year, the miraculous world we live in and all of those who make the world a better place by giving their light.
Winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere was at 8:28 AM today.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 