With faint light in her eyes
hair awry and wiry
trodden down starting from the top
in the yellow sweatshirt that’s
consuming her hands
she shrinks inside
before turning the corner
a slight curve of her mouth
less than half a smile
easily missed by those
who have already decided
who she is.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Cut yourself free
from the weight of all you have not forgiven
vitality constricted by past failures
a tangle of rope, that does not allow a full breath.
Tightening with each memory
of a time you did not stop it,
held mute as the words were flung your way,
didn’t stand up tall enough for yourself.
You carry fault for letting it happen.
Patterns of knots encircle your being.
Twisted, tight, wound round, a strangle of heavy.
If you would have been smarter, stronger, better …
tried just a little harder…
if you had only been more.
Use the knife, cut yourself free.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
I am taking a stand to eliminate violence against women. Thank you to all of the organizations who reach out to help women in need each day.
#BeBoldForChange – International Women’s Day 2017
True words
are unsinkable
they rise to the top
like oil on the surface.
The rocks you tied to them
never enough weight to drown
what you didn’t want shared, temporarily
kept hidden under your tongue.
True words will escape, eventually
Your enclosed truth
held hostage by fear
wants to fly.
Let it.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017 Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Inspired by Monday Mantras and the word MANTRA -The literal Chinese translation of the word mantra is “true words.” Seek your truth and let this unique manta guide you through the week. Mine is “Trust the journey.”
Dear ones,
I know you think me gone forever.
Tire of windwhipped ears, frozen fingers,
numb toes dancing in boots to regain feeling.
I noticed your hesitation at the door, a pause to brace yourself
before the blast of chill. Your hope pushed down deep,
warm in your pocket, is crumbling.
Before you go off on another rant let me point out,
Forsythia is blooming now, right next door.
Just when you can’t take another day
I will return,
a fresh bouquet in my hands.
Your ever loving and loyal,
Spring
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Photo taken right in my own neighborhood.
If the grasses could sing,
a pure note from each blade
their chorus accompanied by
angled beams of light
on each swaying tip
beyond this
yet unheard melody
is my love for you.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
The breeze picked up
your words were carried away
by the gusts. My heart on the beach alone
as we continued to walk, I remained
jealous of the wind
holding your words so close.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
I will walk beside you. Fill your cracks
with care. Speak your strengths, over
and over until they are glue. Help you
see all truly beautiful things were once
broken. I will love you with abandon
pour a hot cup of tea. Search for your
missing shards. Pluck out sharp words
used for self-inflicted pain. Chant, cheer,
and call your name. I will run ahead
to look for danger and get behind to push.
But please know you have the final piece
to set in place. I can’t make you whole again.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Photo thanks to PIXABAY
love is an open space
not yet filled place
a hand reaching out
ready
without expectation
large, tiny, tattooed, wrinkled
skin darker or lighter
held out to you
love is there
if you return the
reach.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
#Loveuary and Love Day Blog Party at But I Smile Anyway…
In the solitude of these chambers
my heart remembers how to breathe.
Cool air pulled in, an inflation of freedom
expansion completed. To rise and fall,
again, again, again…
My internal rhythm,
muscles in unison,
ceaselessly at work,
to fill me from toes to earlobes,
without my acknowledgement
or praise.
An intake of peaceful,
taken for granted,
to keep this heart beating
another day.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Celebrate #Loveuary with the blog But I Smile Anyway
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 