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
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
My light is shining.
A big thank you to Susi Bocks for sharing my voice on, “The Short of It.” I invite you to visit her site, iwriteher.com, for a reading of my short poems including this one. Thank you to all the readers that keep poetry alive.
Thunderstorm Conversations Lean into the loud hold curiosity’s hand consider this thundering consider it may not mean what you thought. This crack clashing boom only an illusion of danger. Maybe it isn’t a disastrous end but a calling of resounding strength a breaking through from your ancestors reverberating out across the sky, “We are with you.” Ali Grimshaw 2020
If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It, click here for the submissions guidelines.
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
Sandals in November – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
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
Writing Circles Nourish Us
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.
When Comes The Night
after the sordid day rain recalls the language of music and I go, leaving frenzied voices behind to bed beneath magnetic star spray to see above the thousands while I hear the lake moon moan when can I live life as ripe peach sky? © Ali Grimshaw 2020 dVerse Quadrille - Poetical Magnetism I have never liked crossword puzzles but I got a kick out of this magnetic poetry site. What a fun way to play with word use. Check it out here. magnetic poetry
Poems from the Circle
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
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 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
Join us for Open Link Night on dVerse
Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Outside of Your Home or View – Oregon Coast
Shift – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
absent stood out on the page of my day, like sharp yellow highlighter, a biting bright contrast, to your slight soft smile. Remembering our laughter mixed with warm sunlight smell of blackberries, overripe with the end of this season, some clinging to the vine. © Alicia Grimshaw 2019 As we shift to the next, there is a tension of holding on and letting go. I feel this as I experience goodbyes and new places. Sending love to anyone who is saying farewell and transitioning with this season. Let's welcome in the new colors that arrive with this change.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 