Online Writing Circle

Poetry Has Arms – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments


Poetry has arms
to reach beyond borders
stretch across isles
swim channels of shame
while handing our fresh hankies
for tears of lost love.

Poetry has arms
to hold, comfort, and allow
for all to be felt
the sharp, the cut wide open
poetry pushes no one away.

All are welcome
through this doorway.

© Ali Grimshaw 2025



I started writing circles with the desire to reach just a few, share my flashlight, and listen with compassion. The last four years have brought your voices on the breeze, across seas stanzas sailed, flew and walked themselves beyond boundaries. I have heard your hearts.
Throughout my facilitating of writing circles I have witnessed authentic sharing and heartfelt listening. I believe the practice of writing and reflecting together is a powerful agent of change. At an event I attended recently Mark Nepo said, “Global humanity’s health depends on healthy souls keeping the literacy of the heart alive.” This resonated with me. Let’s come together and do this in the writing circle.

Are you curious about exploring possibilities through poems? Are you seeking a sisterhood to write and reflect? Are you wanting a loving space to purposefully pause?

Listening for Possibility – Writing Circle Series With Ali

Three Saturdays: January 25, February 8, February 22, 2025
9:30 – 11:00 am PDT on Zoom

During each session we will listen to poems and each other, listen inward for the needs of the heart and explore the doors we want to open next.

This group will be held to six participants to allow deep listening and sharing.

$75 for the series

Payment through PayPal paypal.me/LIfeByDesignOR or Venmo at Alicia-Grimshaw

Whether you are inspired to join me or not I would love to hear from you. I am looking for ways to be of service to others through writing.

Wishing you wellness and peace,

Ali

Autumn Amble – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 18 Comments

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus

Let's linger in the Autumn glow
dusk is on its way

to cloak us with comfort
ease our worries loose
to fall.

Pausing here 
we become one with this 
seasonal scene of hush

before continuing our saunter
harvesting what matters most
from this day.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Photo take in Portland, Oregon 2020. 

Join me for an upcoming writing circle. I am honored to hold space for your words to appear on the page. Together we are finding our way forward. 

Saturday, November 18 at 9:30 - 11:00 am PST. $20

Monday, November 27 at 4:00 - 5:30 pm PST. $20

Email me to register at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Why write together? – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments 
because time is slippery
memories mingle with worries 
when the pen lies dormant

because others are mirrors of magnitude
shining back the full spectrum 
of light in each of us

because when was the last time 
you made an appointment to savor 
the words of your own heart?

©Ali Grimshaw 2022

Join me on September 17 for Write Yourself: Poetry Writing Circle

Click HERE for more information.

Find Your Flow – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 2 Comments 
Swimming upstream
feeling the pull
of this current
day of decisions
to be made.

Kicking away
troubled tributaries

“You will regret this.” They say.

Where is my ladder through?
(even fish get one of those)

I guess God must think
me an excellent swimmer.

©Ali Grimshaw 2021
I continue to meet big-hearted humans across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. No experience needed. All voices are welcome.

Write Yourself: Reflection Through Poetry
Mon, July 18, 2022
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM PDT Register HERE

Poems from the circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments 
Now is the only time that matters 

Say goodbye to what is gone. 
No matter its importance then 
now is a new beginning. 

We get attached to our words, 
to-do lists, the shoulds and woulds 
that we tell ourselves. 

They keep us tied to the past. 
Fill us with regret and doubt 
for the next step forward. 

Now is the only time that matters.

By Val Boyko

I am grateful for Val's permission to share her poem from a recent writing circle. You can find more of her poems and yoga offerings here, www.FindYourMiddleGround.com. It has been an amazing to write with Val across the many miles, hear her experiences and find connection with someone who started out as a stranger and now is a friend.

I continue to meet big-hearted humans across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle.

Write Yourself: Reflection Through Poetry
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Click HERE for more information and registration.
No experience needed. All voices welcome.

Photo taken at Smith Rock State Park

It’s Time – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 22 Comments
© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Writing together is a beautiful method of letting go, highlighting what is worth holding on to, and listening inward. It is a playful journey and a great way to make friends from distant places. Join me for a writing circle as we start a new year.

Write Yourself: Reflection Through Poetry. 1/15/22, 10:30 AM PST – Click HERE

Wishing you peace and wellness in 2022.

Ali

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments 
To Know You by Kelley Morris

Oh, that I would not
Miss the chance
To know you
Past your likes
Past your dislikes
The chance
To offer time
As a gift for us both-
After all, that is
The only way
We truly connect
Occupying
The same space
In the physical
In the technological
Either has the ability
To spark the same magic
Oh, that I would not
Miss the chance
To know you
Due to the foolishness
Of a word
Such as busy-
Is there really such a thing, anyway?

I am grateful for Kelley's permission to share her poem from a recent writing circle. You can find more of her poems here, pianogirlthoughts.com. Kelley lives in Oklahoma, I in Oregon. I never would have had the chance to know her if she hadn't joined a writing circle. It has been an amazing to write with her across the many miles, hear her experiences and find connection with someone who started out as a stranger and now is a friend.

I continue to meet big-hearted humans across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. No experience needed. All voices are welcome.

Photo taken November 2021, Bozeman, Montana.

Lavender Fields – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 24 Comments 
tending melancholy rows of dusk
swaying scented thoughts 
light eases away toward your side
of the world

barefoot
I close my eyes
to listen

our Mother Earth 
is singing us home

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

It is my dream to bring writers together from around the world to write together and listen with compassion. Join my for my next writing circle. All voices welcome.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Monday, August 23, 2021 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM PDT

Register – HERE to write with us. We want to hear your words.

Eugi’s Weekly Prompt – Round the World – August 5, 2021. – Join the fun HERE.

Photo thanks to pixabay.com

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 17 Comments 
Guardian

Lying on a bed
Of soft clover
And gentle ferns
I gaze up at you-
As your limbs
Reach to the sky
I cover my eyes
In an attempt
To shade from
The sunlight
Streaming down-
Noticing my
Squinting eyes
You quietly call
The gentle breeze
To craft a lovely canopy
From green leaves
Allowing me to
Once again
See you clearly-
Here we stay
Until the sun
Begins to set
Until you
Reach down
Lift me up
And tenderly
Place me
In the crook
Of your strong branch-
I rest my head
In peaceful sleep

By Kelley Morris

I am grateful for Kelley's permission to share her poem from a recent writing circle. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. You can find more of her poems on her blog, pianogirlthoughts.com

Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. No experience needed. All voices are welcome.

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle, Friday, August 13, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here

Not just another day – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 4 Comments

via Crocus blossom — Vova Zinger’s Photoblog

each day a reaching 
of outward iridescence
threaded violet choices

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Thank you to Vova Zinger for granting permission to share this inspiring photo as an accompaniment to my poem. I have followed Voya's photography blog for quite a while. His images are fantastic. 

I love writing with people from around the world. Come share your voice within the writing circle. You may be surprised how the words can flow forth with ease. All voices welcome.

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle
Friday, July 9, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here