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She Stood for Others – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 22 Comments
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

she stood for listening
overcoming discouragement
and air that never burned your nostrils

she led by digging weeds with you
side-by-side overheated or drenched.

she never let fear ride in the front seat

and forever reminded me
the sun’s position
changes everyone’s shadow
everyone’s

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Quadrille Monday on dVerse Poets Pub – Join a friendly group of poets HERE

Photo taken on a family trip to NYC. I just love this mural.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle

Mon, Aug 23, 2021 4:00 PM PDT – Register HERE

Lavender Fields – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 24 Comments 
tending melancholy rows of dusk
swaying scented thoughts 
light eases away toward your side
of the world

barefoot
I close my eyes
to listen

our Mother Earth 
is singing us home

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

It is my dream to bring writers together from around the world to write together and listen with compassion. Join my for my next writing circle. All voices welcome.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Monday, August 23, 2021 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM PDT

Register – HERE to write with us. We want to hear your words.

Eugi’s Weekly Prompt – Round the World – August 5, 2021. – Join the fun HERE.

Photo thanks to pixabay.com

Jumping into August – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 37 Comments 
Dipping skinny-style, screaming out in glee, we entered the river to revive. Jumping away from the heated August afternoon only to return to the warm rocks and bask like turtles. Then followed hours of our rinse and repeat cycle as sunlight slid down the river. Summer freedom was its own kind of happy. Without the constraints of parents or the weight of planning for the future to come. We flew through the air trusting the pools to welcome us with a generosity that had held so many before our time. There were no thoughts of tomorrow.

bubbled free
water nymphs laze
summertide

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Join a welcoming community of poets at dVerse for Haibun Monday, HERE

against the flow again – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 45 Comments

Swimming upstream
feeling the pull
of this current
day of decisions
to be made.

Kicking away
troubled tributaries

“You will regret this.” They say.

Where is my ladder through?
(even fish get one of those)

I guess God must think
me an excellent swimmer.

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Come join us for Quadrille Monday at dVerse HERE

Lacework – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 43 Comments 
Your error is forgetting
that you also began
as a seed.

The starfish that loses an arm
still thrives brightly seaward.

The coyote howls, then listens through
darkness to return to his pack.

The angel oak's reach is far and long
regardless of scarred branches.

Can you see the lacework 
between the living?

Each reaching out
tied in small knots
is also a receiving.

© Ali Grimshaw 2021

Join a welcoming community of poets for OPEN LINK NIGHT at dVerse Poets Pub HERE

Not just another day – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 4 Comments

via Crocus blossom — Vova Zinger’s Photoblog

each day a reaching 
of outward iridescence
threaded violet choices

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Thank you to Vova Zinger for granting permission to share this inspiring photo as an accompaniment to my poem. I have followed Voya's photography blog for quite a while. His images are fantastic. 

I love writing with people from around the world. Come share your voice within the writing circle. You may be surprised how the words can flow forth with ease. All voices welcome.

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle
Friday, July 9, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here

How I Knew – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 37 Comments 
This tastes like the memory
of that simmering summer day.

I held a buttercup flower
under your chin, declaring
with the yellow glow of your skin,

"You like butter."

When you said, "Let me try,"

I knew we would be friends.

You were another
who wanted to see 
the colors for herself.

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

For Eugenia's prompt - Happiness

Give yourself space to let go 
Give yourself time to listen inward
Give yourself freedom to be

Join me for my next writing circle.
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle

Friday, July 9, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here

For Shelby – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments 
"All you have to do is write one true sentence.
Write the truest sentence that you know."
― Ernest Hemingway

round and wound snugly tight
we wrapped you 
with pockets of air 
to let the cold hurt breathe
before exhaling it with the laughter 

each small stitch a holding
of our unraveled hearts 
circled colors hitched secure
with homemade memory patterns 
our shared stories under stars

love appliqued for the winter months
loops small and strong to hold your weight in the wind
to keep your dreams collectively connected
securely anointed with our goodbye tears
tucked in tight for all nights

you will never be left
outside this handwoven
circle of arms

in each departing hand
a yarn of length kept warm
to remember you
in tomorrow's pocket

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Dedicated to Shelby Case, reporter, writer and friend.

dVerse Poetics - Come join the fun HERE

Photo take in Bellingham, WA.

Join me for a writing circle
Let me hold space for your voice to appear on the page.

Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle,

Friday, June 25, 10:00 – 11:30 am PDT Register here

Access – A Poem By Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 31 Comments 
a poem is a door
opening backward
or sliding sideways
for full human viewing

a poem invites Awe's cousin
Curiosity, to join you for a seat
on a soft metaphor
then reminds you to lean back

a poem offers scaffolding 
for fear, for wonder
for whatever arrives next
with structure and airflow 
so nothing gets too stagnant

including you 
and passing light
through a green passageway

©Ali Grimshaw 2021

Photo taken in Porto, Portugal.

Quadrille "Curiosity" on dVerse Poet's Pub - Join the fun HERE