Let me hold space for your voice to appear on the page.
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle
Friday, May 21, 8:30 – 10:00 am PDT. Register here
Tickets are by donation.
Some of the Time – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
hope
Poems from the Circle – Lighthouse Keeping
I spent some time with Ali Grimshaw’s writing circle and once again, enjoyed being with like minded souls as we explored poetry together. The inspiration for my poem came from, “Lighthouse Keeping” by Kay Ryan. – Val
Lighthouse Keeping By Val Boyko
Find Your Middle Ground
Know that we are keepers of the light Holding space and reaching out to those in darkened places. Its not our job to judge, advise, fix or rescue others. Our calling is to keep the light shining within ourselves and bring it to the world, to keep us all afloat. Thank you Val for sharing this inspirational poem and for all the loving support written on your blog, Find Your Middle Ground. You are a bright light in the world. Keep on shining. I will be reading in appreciation. Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez
Weather Forecast – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
Light does not fall on us equally. There are hours of gentle illumination, while some remain in shadow. Random flashes which leave you for no reason at the front of the line. Or the end, randomly burned, scorched, with head shaking disbelief. Tranquil dusk light on leaves. Other days blinded into paralysis, unable to see a way forward. I remain in a thundercloud waiting room, counting shadows like minutes. Weatherizing my soul before the next hurricane. Steadfast, determined in my stance, for a return of the glow In stillness it will find me. Sun’s warm hand on my back again. This too shall pass Ali Grimshaw 2017 Weather Forecast was first published on Vita Brevis Vita Brevis Press is a bestselling small publisher dedicated to emerging and established poets, circulating their work in an online magazine and in physical anthologies.
Let’s Carry the Load
In the fog of conflict blinded numbness we look to the leaders to steer, peel back disagreement from the windshield. We wait with held breath for a directive to follow while voices clash, a radio screech between stations unwilling to tune in to clarity. We hope for a brilliant leader to put on a pedestal of responsibility, like the GPS we depend on to find our way the one who will hold the key to making it all go away. Let's reach into our own pockets. What if the driver we seek is us? Not singular but each, all together. The many unified. © Ali Grimshaw 2020 Let’s give thanks for poll workers, Stacey Abrams, fact-checkers — and the weather Thank you to every single person who helped to provide others with the opportunity to vote in our recent election. Together we can, yes we can, keep democracy alive. Thank you Joe Biden. dVerse Open Link Night - Join in the reading and sharing of poetry with a welcoming community.
My light is shining.
A big thank you to Susi Bocks for sharing my voice on, “The Short of It.” I invite you to visit her site, iwriteher.com, for a reading of my short poems including this one. Thank you to all the readers that keep poetry alive.
Thunderstorm Conversations Lean into the loud hold curiosity’s hand consider this thundering consider it may not mean what you thought. This crack clashing boom only an illusion of danger. Maybe it isn’t a disastrous end but a calling of resounding strength a breaking through from your ancestors reverberating out across the sky, “We are with you.” Ali Grimshaw 2020
If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It, click here for the submissions guidelines.
Nested – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
Salmon River, Oregon
Somedays we may need to return to the nest lined with words of hope, blanketed by belief in our ability to fly again. Somedays we may need to hold ourselves leaning into curved sides of this small structure built by someone who loved us. © Ali Grimshaw 2020 dVerse Poet's Pub - Quadrille #113: Blanket Us
topsy-turvy – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
Which way out? Down is upside down up is not what it used to be Which way to the familiar where the predictable seemed to be real? Which way to rise above the untaught history which left us blind? Which way forward to undo, redo, or never do again what once we did? What we weren't ready for or maybe never are, let's help each other rise let us begin again. © Ali Grimshaw 2020
Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a safe place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Thank you to all of you who have written with me in the last few months. I am so very grateful to share this journey with you. I have added this new date and time to open up the invitation to others in different time zones. Let’s connect across the boarders. Stay safe my friends.
What has yet to Appear – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
We are balancing between the blocks of our days large and small. Squares filled with the demands of our days and squares now left open. Boxes where plans once sat in happy company with future anticipation. Now canceled without pattern. Just scattered openings in the grid. Emptiness at first look, then disbelief. As we walk farther down the street, grief standing next to disappointment. Finally we turn the corner and see a tiny new patio garden. Someone is intent on growing beauty from strong willed, concrete pots. The first sprouts are just reaching free.
Determined seeds rise
there is always a crack, wide
enough for thriving
This Haibun Monday over at dVerse Poets Pub we have a visual prompt. It was an new adventure for me. Click here to join the challenge.
Quarantine Quadrille – poem by Ali Grimshaw
As the virus careens, spinning down our long road. The dust has yet to settle from the wheels Slow motion, particles falling, We sift sillily through, glittered remembering. Was that last week? As I am here, reaching you are there, still only through airwaves. © Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Saplings
A beautiful poem of hope from MISTYROADS
Saplings
And so we grow,
In winds bent back
Against the storms
And lightning strikes.
Headlong,
Rise up,
Unfurl
In splendour
And well-lit grace
Of Swift footsteps
That forever change
And twist
In those brief sorrows
Of untrained reach
And growth in silent tears;
That dry in hope
And sunlight given.
Copyright ©RMC May 2020
Click here for more from MistyRoads Blog
