walking through fields of bright questions I pick whys and hows, bloom gold awes for consideration wonderment training © Ali Grimshaw 2021 A shadorma (a six-line, 26-syllable poem or stanza) for National Poetry/Global Poetry Writing Month - Day 7. Visit this site for prompts all month long, napowrimo Join me for my next writing circle. Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Tuesday, April 20, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (PDT) Register here Photo taken in Munich, Germany 2019.
these blooms like candy cotton appetizing limbs of pink deliciousness always have been reliable unique for sugar coating the sadness of a regular day living blossoms I reach for true in their offering of layered light for satisfying the crave of weightlessness the yearning for lift Perhaps with forgiveness. Maybe with increased observation their magic will prevail. My scavenger hunt continues. © Ali Grimshaw 2021 Day 5 of National Poetry Click HERE for daily prompts Global Poetry Writing Month Today's challenge - to find a poem, and then write a new poem that has the shape of the original, and in which every line starts with the first letter of the corresponding line in the original poem. I chose Wet Spring as my jumping off place. This was a stretch that led to a wonderful escape. Wet Spring The practical castle is cold. All around it the world is a stream bed. A few well-placed openings under the windows let rain weep back outward. The rain is string for wrapping a package no one knows the inside of, they just keep trying to mail it. Perhaps it is licorice. Perhaps it is kindness. The package so large even wetness becomes an umbrella. by Jane Hirshfield
"Without poetry, we lose our way." - Joy Harjo the future of my day is coming from where yours has already taken a seat while I wake, you are closing the book to rest your head in a country covered by stars Here on this pondering path of forest synchronized with the slow passing of light this fern comnunity reaches toward many more than any one person can see and one of them is me a gathering of condolences for this time of separation, green fronds reach to surround me in a forest embrace our fiddlehead hearts, together while apart your voice sits with me, uncurling I am moss damp with missing you © Ali Grimshaw 2021 Join a welcome community of poets at dVerse for Open Link Night - HERE 30 Ways to Celebrate the 25th Annual National Poetry Month Day 3 of National Poetry & Global Poetry Writing Month
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
I love the Oregon Coast. This photo is from my most recent visit. It is often while walking down the beach that my mind travels off on inspirational tangents. I have been thinking a lot in the past year about the reasons that we give after something has happened. Those seeds grew into a poem. This poem, The Reasons, is up on Visual Verse where each month they supply a compelling image and invite writers – published or unpublished – to submit a piece in response. There are so many wonderful writings this month. I encourage you to head over there for some entertaining reading. Consider giving the writing challenge a try next month. Here's the link, Visual Verse Thank you to Visual Verse for sharing my voice.
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
ink them down scribble quickly draw from your cuts fly down this line and the next scrawl the clouds of confusion let them outside of your inside release the liquid of life swiftly, before you overthink then blow them all away like dandelion seeds ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 dVerse Quadrille - Come join the fun HERE.
“Poetry offers the world something that’s small enough to carry close to your heart, and big enough to carry all of the ordinary things that can be encompassed in any one day.” — Pádraig Ó Tuama
Purgation shame sweeping disinfecting disappointment vacuuming deeply the corners of deliberately lost memories I open one eye, hesitant to take a look then squint until rooted in my intention It's possible there is no monster of madness in the closed cupboard of the past just dust bunnies multiplying and the purgation continues. ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 dVerse Open Link Night - Join a welcoming community of poets HERE.
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
"The decision we face is not to chart the perfect way forward; it is simply to embark on a journey. Once we’ve taken a step forward, the work will teach us where to take a second step, and then a third, and so on. Purpose does not reveal itself to those sitting safely at the starting block. In other words, you don’t plan your way into finding your purpose. You live into it.” - Jacqueline Novogratz 500th I guess I can't call it an accident it's time to admit, intentionality. Claiming my inner poet five years ago (a birthday gift to myself) has led to this my 500th post. I would have given up sharing, long ago, if it hadn't been for you you reading, then reflecting back your thoughts in return. Knowing the aloneness of darkness I started with the desire to reach just one share my flashlight sit beside and just listen and listen some more. These years have brought your voices on the breeze, across seas, stanzas have sailed, flown and walked themselves beyond boundaries, I have heard your hearts. Together we are rewriting a world through poetry. Thank you for being a part of my journey. I am here to serve you in yours. I would love to write with you and hold space for your words. Renewal Through Poetry: Introductory Writing Circles March 7, 4:00 PM PST register here – Eventbrite
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 