He is a crafty one
who can lull you into forgetting
like a hypnotist, he waves headlines
his pocket watch of daily disasters
"Be afraid, be very afraid,"
while waiting for your heart to go cold,
enter a hibernation of hate.
Yet, Mr. Fear underestimates
the determination
of your being to love.
You fight for the sunlight in others.
Shock arises on his face
when you stand up to hug him.
He will never be the same again.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
When did your heart get trampled by disbelief
forgotten in rushing reactivity
pushed aside by survival?
Are you willing to let it be revived?
You don't need to decide today.
I will take you with me, barefooted
brave and heartskipping.
Let's find a butterfly to wonder about.
Then later I can remember it with you
in the pictures of my mind.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Join a welcoming group of poets
for Open Link Night HERE at
dVerse Poets' Pub.
Photo taken at Tuscon Botanical Gardens. They have an delightful butterfly exhibit. When was the last time you hung out with butterflies?
“Because the heart dwells in unattended dark, we often forget its sublime sensitivity to everything that is happening to us. Without our ever noticing, the heart absorbs the joy of things and also their pain and care. Within us, therefore, a burdening can accrue. For this reason, it is wise now and again to tune in to your heart and listen for what it carries.
– Let Your Heart Speak, John O’Donohue
along the path of daily breathing
to hear my heart’s needs
saturation of all to be felt
(all muscles need rest to continue lifting)
I sit inside a song of silence
listening for imaginings of the heart
possibilities of becoming
dreams beyond my thinking
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Quadrille Monday – Imagine at dVerse Poets’ Pub. Join in the fun HERE.
How many days can you claim bold aliveness
on an airstream of love
where wordclouds hover to make shadows?
What sweet relief to witness the magesty of
bloom on blue, a gathering of cells
multiplying magnificent.
"I'll miss you," he said in a whisper. "How many ways
can a mountian be climbed?"
Dipping skinny-style, screaming out in glee
we entered the river to revive.
Lavendar dusk of sky
arched islands like the backs of resting animals.
Oh, what can be unfolded inside my twisted heart
by sunlight on water if each person is a light
if we are billions of shades shifting into place.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Join in dVerse Poets' Pub OLN #354
Learn how HERE.
This poem was inspired by Laura's prompt - Last Year's First Eleven
I chose one poem from each month and used the first line to make
this new poem. All of these lines were from poems I posted in 2023.
Writing this was like a word puzzle.
and just when I think “How much could it matter?”
someone shows me
how my listening can be love
how my actions can be a bridge
how little I still understand about what is possible
and I shout out, THANK YOU
constellations of gratitude
and atmospheric appreciation
to each and every life that has touched mine
for each life I have yet to encounter
© Ali Grimshaw 2023
Dear readers,
Just when I think, why in the world am I writing, blogging, and sending out poems, someone reflects back that it matters to them. I started sharing my poems to honor a friend’s request. It was uncomfortable and sometimes scary. What moved me forward is my belief that if my words connect with one person in a way that they feel less alone, then it is worth it. It is still uncomfortable to share my words and maybe that is part of the process of being seen by others and knowing you don’t have control of any readers’ interpretation.
Over the years I have experienced writing myself forward. I will continue to hold writing circles to support others on this journey. Because of all who have read this blog, I have this amazing learning adventure. Thank you for reading and reflecting back your thoughts. Thank you for sharing yourselves openly. May we heal the world with our loving listening of each other.
Don’t ever give up.
Hands of love are reaching for you
even when you can’t see them.
Happy New Year,
Ali
P.S. The photo is of my father’s hand and the hand of my oldest son. It represents healing across the generations.
“Air and light heal; they somehow get into those dark, musty places, like spiritual antibiotics.” – Anne Lamott
the need for skin on skin cool water on fevered temples being seen for who you are laughter around a full table help arriving on the horizon restfulness where the body returns to the ground floor in full abandon unexpected sunlight through winter windows holding hands with hurting hearts shelter of a single tree the surprise of a red flower © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Photo taken in Ethiopia 2023.
“The fire of a heart that loves is a flame that will never be put out.” – Anita Brooks
first you need to finish the falling let your pain bleed out all its colors let each vein be filled let each edge receive the final flow the leaves are showing you how beauty flames in seasons will you see yourself yourself yearning to fall free you can't begin again until you have left the branch you cling to © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Photo take in Portland, Oregon Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge Flame.
Oh what can be unfolded inside my twisted heart by sunlight on water as artful swimmers ease through surface and depth as one painting. I'm captivated by colors that ask What is truly lasting? When the world shouts, IMPOSSIBLE! Love replies, "Just watch me." © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Quadrille #168 - Fold Learn more about this and join the fun HERE Photo taken in Croatia 2023.
Goodbyes, they come in all shapes and sizes. My poem, ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, PLEASE, is about the complex feelings of saying goodbye to a child that has grown to adulthood. A huge thank you to Visual Verse for publishing it. Please follow the link to give it a read. Here. Visual Verse: An Anthology of Art and Words One image, one hour, 50-500 words. The picture is the starting point, the text is up to you. Consider submitting and reading the amazing pieces shared on this site. It is one of my favorites.
Join a welcoming community of poets at dVerse Poets’ Pub for Open Link Night. Share one poem of your choosing. HERE
Lavender dusk of sky mingles with the sweet breath of gardenia mist view. Hush scatters across them all so as not to forget it's tenderness. A blanket for the many homeless wanderers in need of comfort tonight. © Ali Grimshaw 2023 A few years back I wrote a post it note for myself. It lives on my bathroom wall. This note is to remind me how to get back on track when I feel out of sorts. It says, “Whenever I am in service to others I know exactly who I am.” If I am confused or down all I need to do is get in action to serve someone else. Love is an action and when I take authentic action to serve others I regain my footing in life.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 