Poems from the Circle

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
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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.

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

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments 
Becoming

Can I still declare I am becoming?
There are no vast tomorrows in my future
Imagining The Creator 
Does He still admire his handiwork?
No longer does my body bear fruit
my womb barely remembers giving life
stretch marks have become old road markers 
now rendered dusty, leading nowhere
my thoughts at times confuse me
I leave out words wondering
where do they disappear
Between my mind and fingers in motion
hair on my head, now strands resembling
common condiments pay homage to seasoned memories
what few remain allowed to go their own way
they have known submission
followed each latest hair trend
yet, I continue occupying this body
it no longer needs to become
acceptance of time confirms I am still here alive
nothing thrown at me forced me to recoil
never once did I resolve to ever just look back.

By Aissatou Sunjata 5/7/21

I am grateful for Aissatou’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing women 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. 

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 21, 8:30 am PDT. Register here

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments 
up to me

fitting in is not required.
it’s not even necessary.
how could any of us fit
a mold that is not ours?
who made the mold anyway?
why did I never question this
generational imperative
to be someone or something
I was not ever intended to be –
or become?
I question it now.
I release it now – today.
I free myself to be…
me.
all that I am, and
all I can be is
up to
me.

By Carrie Cannady
April 2021
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. I continue to meet amazing women 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. Tickets are by donation.

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 7, 10:00 am PDT. Register here

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 21, 8:30 am PDT. Register here
 

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 17 Comments 
Where to Write From

You might think that
to be a poet
you must have a 
way with words
You can keep thinking that
more room for me
You might think you 
must reach way down 
in the weeds
pulling out muddy roots
from your sodden brain
or recall in detail
places of distinction
You might think you 
must go heart searching
to find phenomenal
fodder for verse
or have personal connections
with the waves, the sun, 
the moon and the stars
There are those 
who have done that
But really you might be
content to write frilly froth
of fabled fellows
Or maybe, just maybe 
you’ll surprise yourself, 
crawl down deep like an 
a spelunking explorer
to places in yourself
you haven’t been
or yet even noticed 

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. Each of us has
words that matter. Within the writing circle we nourish them.
Curious? Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 15 Comments 










Looking For My Wild Card
     That’s no weakness ... That’s your wild card
     From Kim Stafford’s poem “Advice From A Raindrop”

I do not think of myself as wild —
I am a peacemaker

But the hint that perhaps I have a wild card,
a side of me rarely displayed, waiting within
till needed — then ready to flash forward?

I savor that suggestion
and seek within, hoping to get acquainted
willing to adapt my peaceful approach

Might I become a mirror to others
that they see their own behavior as destructive
and pause to consider other options?

Or might I blend in, becoming part
of what had seemed contrary to my beliefs
only to discover therein new perspectives?

My wild card may seem pretty tame to others —
I may be the one most needing its nudges

©SJaeschke 2021

I am grateful for Jazz's permission to share her poem 
from a recent writing circle. You can find more of her
poems here on her blog Steps and Pauses. 

Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life. 
I would be honored to hold space for your words to appear on the page. 
Join me for the next gathering.  No experience needed. All voices welcome. 
Renewal Through Poetry: Introductory Writing Circle
March 28, 4:00 PM PST register here – Eventbrite 




			

	


				
					


	

			
Poems from the Circle – Lighthouse Keeping
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 16 Comments					

				

		






I spent some time with Ali Grimshaw’s writing circle and once again, enjoyed being with like minded souls as we explored poetry together. The inspiration for my poem came from, “Lighthouse Keeping” by Kay Ryan. – Val





 Lighthouse Keeping By Val Boyko
 Find Your Middle Ground





Know that we are
keepers of the light

Holding space and
reaching out to those
in darkened places.

Its not our job
to judge, advise, fix
or rescue others.

Our calling is to keep
the light shining
within ourselves and

bring it to the world,
to keep us all afloat.

Thank you Val for sharing this inspirational poem and for all the loving support written on your blog, Find Your Middle Ground. You are a bright light in the world. Keep on shining. I will be reading in appreciation.

Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez

 

			

	


				
					


	

			
Poems from the Circle
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 13 Comments					

				

		

Louise Gallagher – Dareboldly.com










My dream is to create a safe space for you to explore the words that live inside you.  Holding this listening space is one of the times I feel most alive. Our lives are enriched by reflectively listening to ourselves and others. It takes courage to reveal yourself and it is worth it.





Louise Gallagher is yet another amazing human that I wouldn’t have met without her taking a chance to share in the circle. Thank you, Louise, for your permission to share your artful poem here. It has been a gift to hear your words arrive and observe them unfurling over the past several weeks.  Louise is a creativity activist, visual story-teller, mixed-media artist, writer, mentor, coach. You can find more of her poetry and beautiful creations at dareboldly.com 





Writing together provides a mirror for us to process  life in a safe place. Click here for information about my next Sunday writing circle.






			

	


				
					


	

			
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