Knee deep in, “I can’t believe I said that.”
Toes numbed by the cold reality
while echoed words play inside your head.
Let the current caress errors of grime
wash away the mistaken mud of this day
to return to the raw, tender tingle.
Step out onto the bank of clean sheets
let new beginnings drip from your feet.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
now, before you change your mind
and doubt blankets you with too comfortable
while familiar climbs onto your lap, warmly weighty
and resignation joins in to pull courage from the room
before you are left alone on the cold couch
deserted by dreams of sitting under
a green tree of sunlight.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
I wrote across
and down the page
sometimes diagonal doodles
to break through lines
that I refused, not willing
to be penned in.
Editing bled and tore through
to pages underneath.
Grateful for a thick tablet
layers of mistakes on the way to golden
this party called life, waking up
to attend, embrace the tousled mess
tumbles, triumph, trembles of love
that live outside of words.
The minutes are not guaranteed
savor this very one.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Each year I celebrate getting to live another year by writing a birthday poem. I hope this inspires you to author your life. What story are you writing this year? These bloggers have inspired my next chapter; Debbie at Forgiving Connects , Colleen at The Chatter Blog, Val at Find Your Middle Ground, Miriam at Out an’ About, and Brad at Writing To Freedom
Here is the link to last year’s birthday poem 365 Pages.
May love touch your day.
Ali
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
One step to the right
not a stretch, just a nudge
shift of weight to the side.
One step away, between
worry and what if?
Landscape of exhaustion
or a horizon of possibility.
Not a marathon, nothing to train for,
just one
small
step.
Get your shoes on.
wonder is waiting.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Resharing one the most liked posts from this year.
Sending the light of hope your way.
Now I sit inside heated regret
what I wish I would have said
rapid words that flew off my tongue
like butterflies leaving my mouth
beautiful at first sight, fluttering
toward you. With closer inspection
upon landing, were really illegal
firecrackers of burnt red destruction
flames that left you singed speechless
while I coughed on my smoking impulsivity.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Rewrite of a poem from 2017
Thank you to Vita Brevis Poetry Magazine for publishing my poem,
What the Grieving Seek, this month. It is an honor to have my words shared on this poetry journal. Vita Brevis (life is short) aims to publish work that shows a keen awareness of not only art’s beauty and longevity but life’s toils and finiteness.
Please click on the above link to give my poem a visit.
May poetry touch your day.
Ali
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 by desire
for connection.
A step toward those
who had no shoes.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
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Through the fearful thoughts, clashed conflict
of what might be, we always have a choice
to speak love, listen behind and underneath
the words of others for the common thread
that we hold. A line of connection
alive with the many lives that have held it.
Feel the yank of one who is pulled away
the space empty, thread loosely lost to hang
without warm hands to hold it.
Hands that may be the only ones
to keep us unraveling.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
If it wasn’t for blogging I know I wouldn’t stop to write poems and writing them gives me the life I want to live. So, thank you fellow bloggers for the opportunity to reflect and connect across the oceans and to speak for peace today. We can change the world one conversation at a time. The world needs each one of us. Please keep your light on.
Join in at Blog4peace.com
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 