hope

Wisdom of a sunflower

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 22 Comments

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Her face follows the sun

an anchor of light, trusted to lead while she grew

a warmth of reassurance when her sight was lost

from darkness. A seed born with the knowing

yet unable to realize until the day of blossoming.

She held it all along. Resolve of love, strength to push

through the compacted soil of failure, to stretch

when trampled, to believe in the next dawn

while she remained in the shadow of night.

© Ali Grimshaw 2018 – photo taken on a roadtrip in Spain

“Like sunflowers that stop tracking the sun as they mature, we too begin to respond differently to life as we age. We learn to brave more parts of the day with our heads turned away from the sun, because we realize that we can only know who we are if we let the sun shine behind us and allow it to draw our shadow in front of us, so that we may see how we are really shaped. 

We begin to realize how even darkness has its gifts, and how even if we don’t always bask in the light, we can survive.” – When Sunflowers Stop Following The Sun

I was inspired to write this poem after reading this thoughtful article.  Never underestimate the power of sharing with careful words.

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National Poetry Month 2018

Tough Exterior

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments

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rusted rails, a cage to keep others out

no second chances, a cost too great

alone in the elements, hardened by hurt

 

not the last turn

just a mistaken dead end sign

wonder yourself free, between the bars

look up, before you lies a light of awe

 

to melt your heart free.

 

© Alicia Grimshaw 2018

Out of this world

Wonder

Message

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments

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You may have forgotten

I have not.

The strength of your heart

to carry you across the hard times.

It has never left you to swim ashore alone.

It never will.

Believe.

Nurturing Thursday

Slightly to the right

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 19 Comments

One step to the right

not a stretch, just a nudge

shift of weight to the side.

One step away

between worry and wonder

landscape of exhaustion

or possibility.

Not a marathon, nothing to train for,

just one

small

step.

Get your shoes on.

wonder is waiting.

© Ali Grimshaw 2018

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Photo credit to Pixabay.com

Weather Forecast

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

 

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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

Glow

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hesitation

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments

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Like the filthy inside out sock

squished at the bottom of the hamper

under stench of damp rags.

 

Life can feel like that place.

 

Maybe it is time to do some laundry.

There is no rule, no prize for

handling it alone,

an unnecessary isolation.

 

The borrowed red sweatshirt

arms wide on the top of the mound

is not an accidental reminder of love.

 

Call. Just call.

Call before you change your mind.

That someone has seen dirt before

and will listen.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

If you are struggling today check out this blog, The Mighty, You are not alone.

 

 

Learning to Dive

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments

 

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One day I finally knew that I could swim

in the blue of the sky.

That I was as strong as I declared myself to be.

That my fears were teachers made just for me.

That there would always be cracks to slip through

times of trembling, shaken awake to fall again.

 

Then I stood next to the lake,

a mirror of blue sky wholeness,

arms wide with acceptance

I, the problem and solution

dove into a

reflection of release.

 

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Take in Varenna, Italy 2016

Recreate

 

Emotional Gravity

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 31 Comments

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Awakened to the heaviness. A push

to breathe through a cage too small.

Despair sits on her chest, hands over her mouth.

Alone on this journey, he is no companion

just a magnetic pull toward the mattress

that she wishes never to leave.

He knows what others do not.

That she can’t put it down.

An unseeable stone she carries alone.

How much easier to be pulled under

than to keep afloat.

A desire for lightness like dust

in a ray of light.

 

If she only knew

invisible hands surround.

Waiting. Just waiting.

For her to say the word.

Help.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

National Suicide Prevention Week  September 10 – 16, 2017

http://stopasuicide.org/index.php

Reach out. Listen. You could save a life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments

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I remain

steadfast

on the shoreline

tethered, weathered

yet still afloat.

My life preserver

ready to be thrown

your way.

Waiting

for your signal.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

National Suicide Prevention Week  September 10 – 16, 2017

http://stopasuicide.org/index.php

Reach out. You could save a life.

Photo Challenge – Waiting  Photo taken in Varenna Italy, 2016.

Around the Corner

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 28 Comments

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She overcame

her internal screaming toddler,

“I don’t wanna. I don’t wanna.”

 

Will Power offered a hand

linking her arm in his

to lead around the corner.

 

Her first step through

this now open door

a route unavailable

to her past self.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Corner Photo Challenge

Photo taken in Lisbon, Portugal 2017