A love note to my mother. The one who lead me to the forest.
© Ali Grimshaw
gratitude
Contentment
She lived in a dented silver trailer
plainly, without shine inside and out.
The window view of sea
filled her need for decoration.
Constant rhythm of wave reassurance
ever evolving color of cloud, mist, fog
always filled her with belonging.
Passersby with lipfrowning judgement
downcast look of sadness at her dwelling
would never know her truth.
She had found her community of paradise
between wind and simplicity.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Life is short …
My poem, Visiting With Chaos, has been published today on Vita Brevis. This literary magazine is dedicated to revive and nourish the rich existential literature that forms when art and the human endeavor collide. Thank you Vita Brevis for supporting the community of writers. Through poetry we can calm our minds, share the human experience and laugh together to keep our sanity. Life is short, poetry helps make the most of it.
An additional thank you to Carl who first published this poem on Versewrights .
Make it a beautiful day.
Ali
Leaf Man
He brings me leaves, one each day
a contrast in shape
varied vibrancy, coral to ripe peach
left on the kitchen counter
until evening arrives at our window.
Held in his palm, this single
donation, color story of today.
Our eyes meet the wrinkles, textured hues, imperfect edges.
Our hands hold a temporary prize between us
a cherishing.
Trees give without expecting
something in return. Thankfully,
so does he.
© Ali Grimshaw 2016
May you find someone to share the beauty of nature with today. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thirst
Parched again
cup empty
I guzzle gratitude
the only liquid
to quench the thirst
of fear.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Awakening
My eyes upon
what my body can do
in this now.
Gratitude for fingers that write.
Legs that walk me into the world.
A hand that can hold yours.
This migrating temple I possess.
A shell washed clean on sand
Your lips brushed across mine.
The aliveness that quickens.
Awe to wake up again.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Lessons
How do you capture
a lifetime of fatherhood
put it down on the page?
Your voice in times of doubt
your hand on my shoulder
your cup always half full.
Yet, it wasn’t what you said
year after year that I remember most
you stood beside
you held up others
you lead with love.
You showed me.
Dedicated to my dearly loved father, Thomas Jenkins, who has fathered many over the years as an educator and coach. No words will ever be enough to tell you how much I love you.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Mother
Each Morning
“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
Something you can count on.
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.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 