Today
I possess the power
to return your judgemental gaze
with full ownership of who I am.
“Yes, this is me.”
A me of mistakes,
fearless learning,
repeated crashing and rising,
heart wide open
scars and wounds visible
capable of the unimaginable
love of Herculean strength.
I won’t ever fit in your box.
I am my own coloring book.
© 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
“Let yourself be silently drawn
by the deeper pull of what you
truly love.” – Rumi
What is calling you forth?
If you cannot see that vision of your future self
follow that which brings you to life
where tears of feeling pool in your eyes
your heart so full that
even the water from the faucet
flows out in slow motion.
© Ali Grimshaw
What does it mean, the number you are?
Pounds or password,
23rd in line before your turn,
zip code, blood pressure, days traveled,
the years you have managed to
stay alive or times you have kept your mouth shut.
Texting mishaps, trips to the store, loves lost.
You may think these numbers
have power to direct your life.
Upside down thinking at its best.
This code of numbers is yours alone.
Deciphering it requires desire
not a Hollywood mastermind.
You have always known the way out.
© Ali Grimshaw
Step away from this dark corner
let your heart lead the way.
Thinking in a box of fearful thoughts
afraid of the other,
leads to imprisonment with defined edges,
slashing at silhouettes that only appear
as the enemy.
Walk away from this shadow
follow the music of trust in love.
What you think is the opposition
is only just another
scared and searching
no different than the face in
your bathroom mirror each morning.
© Ali Grimshaw
Open-minded – Discovery Challenge
Years from now
yearning for the body I have today
with its imperfections and pain.
My gnarled fingers and I will laugh.
How could I have known
the fluidity I possessed.
© Ali Grimshaw
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 