Solstice Lanterns – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

image

When the crack widens to an unknown view
fear can squeeze in between rough edges 

slide to expand like a balloon of darkness
a barricade of shadow to seal the entrance.

Yet seekers of light will never be fooled by tricks of perspective
their wisdom of the season's shifting songs sing them forward.

Eyes of love, illumination for all
allowing forgiveness to set another place at the table

where lanterns burn long into the night.

 © Ali Grimshaw 2022

Encountering a Listener – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night – Gibran

 when your words unchanged return, are heard
 when your song, echoed notes of hue, comes back to you
 when belonging becomes your word
 a melting occurs, gray absorbed by blue
 watercoloring you into the canvas of all
 becoming whole, no longer fearing the fall 

 Then all the colors of you are revealed
 poured forth onto the listening canvas
 of this moment. 

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

Join the dVerse Poetry Community for Tuesday Poetics


Poems from the Circle

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.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaharehAmidi
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BaharehAmidi
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/BaharehLIVE


Together

Writing together can:
• Surprise us. Mend us. Renew us.
• Allow expression of feelings in creative ways.
• Guide our own journey.

Coming together, with folks I have never met, across great distance
to cherish poems and write together is hope in action. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space to hear your inner voice and experience authentic connect with others. So wherever you live I would love to meet you. Click on the links below for more information.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Sundays

December 13 at 4:00 pm PST register here – Eventbrite.

December 27 at 4:00 pm PST register here – Eventbrite.

Remembering – By Ali Grimshaw

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

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

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

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

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





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