Poems from the Circle

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 ~ 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

January 1, 2021January 7, 2021 ~ 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

December 26, 2020 ~ 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

December 1, 2020 ~ 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

November 29, 2020 ~ 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

November 17, 2020 ~ 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

November 10, 2020November 14, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

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

Writing Circles Nourish Us

October 23, 2020October 23, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

Willing Hearts

Separated
by time
and space
Yet, 
physical distance
holds no power
over hearts
willing to listen
and reflect-
Not actually separated 
after all

By Kelley Morris
You can find more of her poems here
pianogirlthoughts

I have never met Kelley in person but I feel
connected to her. We were once strangers
living in separate states, then she joined a
writing circle. I listen to her words and I
came to know her. Coming together, with
women like Kelley, across physical distance
to cherish poems and write together is
generating hope. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space for you to hear your
own voice and experience authentic connect
with others through writing together. I have
written with people from Europe, Canada and
all over the U.S, and every time we are
inspired by the circle.

Thank you Kelley for sharing your voice.

Curious about giving it a try? Sign up below.

Poems from the Circle

October 19, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments

sky

I see the sky,
the blue, the cloud; and
at night, the stars,
the moon, the planets.

You see the sky,
don’t you?
the same sky…yes?

Could it be, that
although the miles,
our experiences,
separate us…
we are still connected?

We are the same.
you are here and I am there,
or I am here and you are there.

The same sky…wherever we are.

Carrie Cannady
October 14, 2020
You can find more of Carrie's poems 
and reflective wisdom 
here at Leadourlives.net

I am grateful for Carrie’s permission 
to share her poem from the writing 
circle here. I continue to meet 
amazing women across different time 
zones. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a 
safe place where we have all agreed 
to listen with compassion. 
Interested in joining a writing circle? 
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

One breath – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

October 15, 2020October 2, 2022 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

I want to launch into the air a thousand words of love. Handwritten and in every font, (even the unpopular ones) lines and curves that will rise and carry us forward upon touch, and to accompany these words, send the sounds that bring us alive, like birdsong, a child’s laugh or footsteps echoing toward home. Release them as a million messages to freely be carried by the breezes that reach us all, to land on building tops and crosswalks, to fall in the teacups of the grieving, in the tangled hair of skipping children, to settle on weary parkbench sleepers, cling to the yet delivered news traveling with the sunlight to the next continent, let the words land on the bare hands of the parched and weary like raindrops on the skin of those that need it most.

I pause here to take a breath and now realize you are still listening. How generous of you.

What do you want to launch into today?

I’m listening.