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Remembering – By Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 26 Comments
My boys on the Oregon Coast, USA 2015
Remembering 

I have celebrated while wind rocked our cliffside camper
with ocean views and barking sea lions.
Grandma's patient smile as we played cards 
in the warm, small inside.

I have roasted turkey while feeling cooked 
in a silver Tallahassee trailer 
where there was no cool breeze to invite through the windows
sweating through my doubts hour by hour.

I have welcomed friends, folks, and yet to know arrivals
to my table that was extended, folding out into the living room
mismatched plates, chairs, and napkins set with open invitation 
because all, meant all being in one circle of faces.

I have driven from afar to a crisp outside Autumn feast 
appetizers of touch football complete with commentary 
by the elder generation, and orange-warm grins around a fire pit
concluding with pie topped with fishing stories 
where we laughed until we cried.

This day is never the same 
I am grateful for this, non-tradition.
That my expectations are not there 
to choke out the one constant, 
the Thanksgiving that I continue to hold
memories of love that never fail 
to show up on this day.

 © Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Open Link - Come share a poem and read others from this welcoming community of writers.

Imagine it… Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 23 Comments
Upside down canoes on the shore — Vova Zinger’s Photoblog

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie

Imagine it...

Now laid bare 
in the upside-down of it all
she sees what wasn't visible before.

What glorious imaginations 
are held
within each of us.

Waiting possibilities 
to cross oceans, mountains 
once impassable.

Forgotten imaginations
of capable courage 
to reach across boundaries 
never thought possible.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Quadrille #116

Please visit Vova Zinger's Photoblog for more of his magnificent photos.

As the World Burns Anthology – Indie Blu(e) Publishing

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 19 Comments

It is an honor to have poems included alongside many wonderful poets in the new anthology, As the World Burns: Writers and Artists Reflect on a World Gone Mad, available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions.

Many thanks to the editors, Kindra M. Austin, Candice Louisa Daquin, Rachel Finch, and Christine E. Ray for putting this book together.

“We speak with many voices, to the damage wrought in these violent, fevered months. Let us never forget or turn away, from what is just, what is necessary, to keep light alive in this world.”

Check out more from Indie Blu(e) here.

Let’s Carry the Load

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 39 Comments 
In the fog of conflict blinded numbness
we look to the leaders to steer,
peel back disagreement from the windshield.

We wait with held breath for a directive to follow
while voices clash, a radio screech between stations
unwilling to tune in to clarity.

We hope for a brilliant leader to put on a pedestal
of responsibility, like the GPS we depend on to find our way
the one who will hold the key to making it all go away.

Let's reach into our own pockets.

What if the driver we seek is us?

Not singular
but each, all
together.

The many 
unified. 

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

Let’s give thanks for poll workers, 
Stacey Abrams, fact-checkers — 
and the weather Thank you to every 
single person who helped to provide 
others with the opportunity to vote in 
our recent election. Together we can, 
yes we can, keep democracy alive. 
Thank you Joe Biden.

dVerse Open Link Night 
- Join in the reading and sharing of poetry 
with a welcoming community.

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

Transition – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 24 Comments 





What happiness can arrive
when sunlight's retreat paints

 leaves cherry crush, berry swirl
 butterscotch eye candy

 walking through an ordinary Monday
 your hand in mine, we breathe the awe
 
street lined masterpieces
colored by a lack of chlorophyll

 less of something  
 created more today

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Quadrille





Portland, Oregon 2020

			

	


				
					


	

			
Sandals in November – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 37 Comments					

				

		






They called her crazy
an attempt to freeze 
her with jeers,
never understanding
that she chose to avoid 
too much comfort.

Empathy 
would always be 
her closest friend.
Arm in arm, they would
walk in sandals 
through November frost.

Warmed only by desire
for connection.

A step toward those
who had no shoes.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020





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dVerse – Open Link Night 

			

	


				
					


	

			
Writing Circles Nourish Us
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 11 Comments					

				

		

Community of Leaves, 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.





Thank you Kelley for sharing your voice. 





Curious about giving it a try? Sign up below.




Register on Eventbrite
			

	


				
					


	

			
Poems from the Circle
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 16 Comments					

				

		

Brooklyn Bridge 2019










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
		

				

						 ~ 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 a 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.





© Ali Grimshaw 2020





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Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Outside of Your Home or View – Oregon Coast