Online Writing Circle

Consider – A Poem for MLK Day – By Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 34 Comments 
Some say, Who am I?
I need to find myself.
I have lost myself.

Some ask, How do I go on?
How do I begin again?
What matters now? 

There are those who 
are living as question marks
and those who refuse punctuation.                 

When your heart burns away,
is cracked to irreparable
or crushed to stillness

is that the end or 
the beginning 
of learning to love?

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Three quotes from a man who left this world too early, Martin Luther King J. May we remember his words.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”

“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”

Sifting – Poem By Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 18 Comments 
Palms upward as hands face sky 
open spaces between fingers relaxing
into what has been a time of gentle 
and harsh scrubbing of the heart. 
Every inch of skin Brillo pad raw. 
An exfoliation of what has been. 
My fists, no longer clenched 
in tight survival, trust in slow unfurling.
Pain tingling as blood returns to fingertips.
Learning feet reground my trunk 
to an upright position, toes rooted 
past sand into bedrock. Freeing now
agile hands to sift through the helpful lessons 
caught in my soft palms as promises
while unneeded thoughts fall through finger spaces
to join other decomposing conversations 
of days when I didn't know listening.
Composting the no longer serviceable
into nutrients for the new words to come.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Renewal Through Writing

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

Coming together, across great distance to cherish poems and write together is hope in action. It is my heart work to facilitate a safe space to hear your inner voice and experience authentic connect. Wherever you live I would love to meet you. No writing experience needed. All voices welcome.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Sundays

Register on Eventbrite

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments 
Curious

I knew I was not up to it
this thing called life.
I was as if nameless
not seen and without 
countenance or provenance
And so from the beginning
I have been curious
with what I could be
even who I could be.
It’s been a road.
But what a delight 
finding out.
What blissful joy
to discover the secrets of oneself.
To see the patchwork 
patterns revealed.
Even moments of brilliance.
I look on with wonder
and I ponder 
where do you suppose
all that life came from?

By Lilli Ann Carey
I am grateful for Lilli Ann's permission to share her poem 
from a recent writing circle. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a safe place. 
Curious about writing yourself forward as 2021 unfolds?
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Rooted – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 54 Comments

“Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet / confinement of your aloneness / to learn / anything or anyone / that does not bring you alive / is too small for you.” – David Whyte

tug and pull, I must

still it doesn’t fit anymore

not after this year

hundreds of breaths have past

in between arrivals and goodbyes

and I am changed

now I have new thoughts

I pull on like the wool sweater

you used to wear on your

most difficult of days.

Thoughts that have rooted

myself to you

intertwined with the me

I have yet to meet.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

dVerse Open Link Night - Join a friendly community of poets.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you deep full breaths of peace.

Blindsighted – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 28 Comments 
As we stand together
the ocean’s roar a comfort
lullaby of constant.

You squeeze 
my hand. I echo
the motion in return.

Reliable rolling waves,
we count on
when the world is crashing.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments 
I come into the Peace …… 
(from Wendell Berry) 

I come into the peace of the invitation of Light
From time to time I misplace this invitation Divine-
I even lose the map that used to take me home to you…. 
To Peace
But then after a simple invitation to write my heart
I am reminded of my Beauty
Your Beauty and the essence of life and 
Light. 

By Bahareh Amidi Ph.D.

I am grateful for Bahareh's permission to share her poem 
from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing people 
across different time zones. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a safe place. 
Interested in joining a writing circle?
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

For more about Bahareh, her poetry and contributions
to others as a Poetry Therapist follow the links below.
Website: www.bahareh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaharehAmidi
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BaharehAmidi
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/BaharehLIVE

Together

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

Writing together can:
• Surprise us. Mend us. Renew us.
• Allow expression of feelings in creative ways.
• Guide our own journey.

Coming together, with folks I have never met, across great distance
to cherish poems and write together is hope in action. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space to hear your inner voice and experience authentic connect with others. So wherever you live I would love to meet you. Click on the links below for more information.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Sundays

December 13 at 4:00 pm PST register here – Eventbrite.

December 27 at 4:00 pm PST register here – Eventbrite.

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments 
On and On We Go
On and on we go
 every second, a commitment
 every breathe, a moment
 every moment, a feeling
 every feeling has a heartbeat
 and the beat goes on and on
 a soft beat to every step, to and froe
 and step by step the moments go
 a quest for answers never stops
 until our eternal sun drops

By Ivor Steven 
You can find more of Ivor's wonderful poems 
here, on his blog.

I am grateful for Ivor’s permission to share his 
poem from the writing circle. I continue to 
meet amazing people across different time zones. 
Writing together provides a mirror for us to process 
life in a safe place.
Interested in joining a writing circle?  
Join me this Sunday, click here to register
or Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Lens-Artists Challenge #123 – Found in the Neighborhood - I like this photo challenge of finding joy close by. The photo above was taken recently on a walk in Portland, Oregon.

Sunday Writing Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The world needs the unique light that only you can shine. Keep your light on through the renewal of shared writing. Writing together can surprise us with new insights, guide our own journey and build resilience.

  • Explore writing as a tool for self-reflection.
  • Slow down with yourself in a space of self-care.
  • Be inspired by the words of others.

No writing experience required. Sharing of your writing is always optional.

There will be a maximum of 6 participants to provide a space of authentic connection.

Testimonials from my past writing circle participants:

“Thank you for your loving energy, leading us to a place within ourselves that we either didn’t know was there or had been untapped for sometime. Your deep listening is a gift, and I feel held in it.” – Carrie

“I loved your focus on being intentional, hearing the voices of other women and your positive energy. You are a light and an inspiration.” – Diane

Click here for registration