Before I walk away,
returning to a new season of my life,
let’s rewind this journey
for one last view.
Our thrills, near misses,
and countless conversations melted together,
weaving me into the true color I have become.
Wherever I am
is your home
to come back to.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Photo taken in a small town in Colorado. Humans create amazing spaces.
Somewhere near the produce
between the oranges and tumbling peppers
a song, Ed Sheeran is singing
and the tears arrive, as I listen.
(I don't usually cry in public but the emotion is undeniable.)
I am still as a river rock, while the shoppers flow around,
struck by hearing the words I couldn't hear before.
I let their message in
feeling what you were trying to say.
What I was unable to receive before.
I don't care that I am crying next to the bananas.
It feels so good to be loved by you.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
She led me to
the library, fed stories to my ears
taught me how to keep the family blood circulating
to pull my shoulders back, stand proud
she showed me laughter around the table
camping in cold rain, beauty beyond lipstick
the effective use of stubborn determination
she made a million meals without consideration
flowered apron ready dinners with a smile
Did she even enjoy cooking?
I don't remember anyone asking her.
She washed clothes, replacing them in drawers
a revolving door of dirty to clean
just another behind the scenes devotion.
How much did we notice the way
she kept the boat afloat
watching for leaks while we slept.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
This poem is in honor of my mother, grandmothers, and all the mothers in my family tree who made me who I am today. Thank you.
Happy Mother's Day
Join a welcoming community of poets
at dVerse Poets' Pub, HERE
for Open Link Night. Share one poem
of your choosing and read what other's
share.
before the stars rise you and I benched before beauty breathing bliss us, just together, side by side seaside stretched our heartbeats synch to the drumbeat rolling waves waves rolling our sunset doesn't need words holding your hand is a forever-changing color always warm © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Join a friendly group of poets on dVerse for Quadrille #169: A Star (Poem) is Born Photo taken in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 2022. I am missing those sunsets.
"Could you write a poem for me?" you asked. Then you left before I could ask the specifics of your heart's desire. Are you in need of savory words to awaken or creamy expressions to nourish? I pondered for hours then did what I could based on the circumstances. I wrote out a mixed assortment of sizes; courageous squares of coconut, rounds of morning lips delight, cinnamon memories of warm skin and the encouragement of toffee. This sampler will be delivered to your doorstep tomorrow at 4:00 pm. Let me know which flavor left your heart wanting more. neverending waves love's ocean unstoppable I am your shoreline © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Haibun Monday 1-30-23: Heart Join us at dVerse - HERE. Photo taken in Portugal, 2017.
“What we carry defines who we are. And the effort we make is our legacy.” ~Mitch Albom
I carry your laugh. How it starts small, a rolling whisper then snowballs to a full round of roaring joy. I carry your hands. How your fingers thread mine snug and loose at the same time woven. I carry your story memories holding me gently close while always leaving breathing room growth space for my expansion. ©Ali Grimshaw 2022 Join a welcoming community of poets at dVerse Open Link Night #321 - HERE.
I built a bridge to you using marshmallows and glue It was worth the sticky effort then it melted in the rain. I threw a magic ruby rope woven with sparkles of hope singing enchantments to call you closer. I dug a river of blue inviting a float on my skin to pull you within but you preferred to fly. I nested a home for myself cocooned through my pain. With a change in the winds on a zephyr you rode in. © Ali Grimshaw 2022 dVerse Open LInk Night #307 - Join in HERE Photo take at the fantastic Chihuly Garden last summer when I was still traveling.
you believe that saying the right thing will dissolve the pain, that you should know how to ascend the sunken afloat in powerlessness without the words to reach the aggrieved restore their hearts to harmony don’t be swallowed by your lacking the right words never have been what the grieving seek sufficient is whole face listening eyes intent to bridge being ears strong enough to hear without changing the subject and you can do that anyone can make that choice First published on VITA BREVIS PRESS 2018 For those are are grieving today. I send this to you with love.
By knowing you, I see myself in bloom now and 90 years wrinkled. My doubts don’t exist in your eyes. You see the chipped edges scars of failed attempts places worn raw as my earned beauty. You hold the rough abeyant curves of my puzzle like a treasure. You saw my essence of spirit gently holding it all up, a mirror before me, until I could see, for myself, who I am becoming. © Ali Grimshaw 2020 Eugi's Weekly Prompt - Romance
a slight alteration not a full smile where teeth reveal themselves just a curled corner of lips lift your cheek rising upward winking your eye those unfamiliar to your face wouldn't notice the half-smirk so quickly retreating behind the coffee mug but I saw it as real as sunrise and I don't need more to know you felt joy today © Ali Grimshaw 2021 dVerse Open Link Night - Come join the fun.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 