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
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.comFacebook:www.facebook.com/BaharehAmidiTwitter:www.twitter.com/BaharehAmidiYouTube:www.YouTube.com/BaharehLIVE
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.comLens-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.
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.
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
Leave the dirt on....
Messy, scrambled words
Striving for control
How I am perceived
How I am received
Oh! You want me to show you
my skinned knee,
my bruised heart,
my bad dream?
My words, without my edits,
will show you the twisted, rambling trail
I have taken to get here.
Are you sure you can keep up?
By Nancy A. Musgrove
I am grateful for Nancy’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
we are held one moment, one
breath, one heartbeat at a time.
even when I feel I am falling,
I am held, safely.
sometimes the fire within,
which most often warms and
lights my next step, rages.
out of control – yes – that is the rage
unseen, well hidden and buried;
wounds of the past.
wanting to be felt, seen, honored –
so the soft warm light returns.
brighter, free.
heart opened.
By Carrie Cannady
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle here. You can find more of Carrie’s writing on her blog, LeadOurLives.net
I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Together we are writing, listening and learning from one another. Share your voice with us.
Writing together can:
• Provide authentic connection
• Allow expression of feelings
• Guide our own journey
Click on the links below for information and registration.
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
At this time of shifting circumstances the work of my heart is to lead small online groups. I have received a clear message from participants that the writing circles are meeting a need to be heard and to process their thoughts through writing. Below is one of the poems that came from a recent writing circle. Thank you Chere Weiss for granting me permission to share it here. If you are seeking connection within a safe space consider writing with me on one of the dates listed below. No matter where you are, take care of your heart, don’t give up. The world needs your light.
Click on the links below for more information and registration.
Quarantine in Spring By Chere Weiss, April 15, 2020
The world as we knew it has imploded, people are dying, we are afraid. Stuck inside our houses we are; helpless, bored, sad, restless and annoyed. Everyone is wounded, or grieving. What day is it? It’s the day I woke up again. It’s the day after yesterday and the day before tomorrow. I am helpless and then a bird comes while I sit outside, he is small and fierce with his song. So delicate, he sings so hard his body vibrates. The cherry tree in front is snowing pink petals, they coat my walkway and follow me into the house. I am helpless and still my tulips stand tall, closed tight teasing me with anticipation. Every day I have no power, eager as a kid on Christmas morning waiting for them to bloom. I planted those tulips. They will open when they are damn good and ready and their colors will astonish me.
Past participants have shared this about my writing circles.
“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 it all. Meeting new people and seeing the similarities between us. This also opened me up to a broader feeling of gratitude.” – Mary
“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
As I continue to lead writing circles, I am inspired by the hearts and generous listening of others. Every time I write with others I am changed and lifted by the experience. Here in this space I am calling, Poems from the Circle, I will be sharing poems written by participants of my writing circles. We are stronger when we lean on and learn from each other. This poem is from Kelley Morris. I appreciate her willingness to share it here.
Silent River
Standing on the bank
All seems quiet
Water slowly
Drifts by
The movement
Difficult to perceive
I must be still
Listen closely
Only then
Will the river
Tell its stories
Of past travels
Around winding turns
Along cool stretches
Over rough rapids
Crashing past sharp rocks
Curiously chasing
The path ahead
Until finally
A free fall
Plunging to the
Clear pool below
Briefly resting
But never stopping
And now, it carries
My reflection while
Telling its story-
We have a lot in common
This silent river
And me
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 