Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry

At this time of shifting circumstances the work of my heart is to lead small online groups. I have received a clear message from participants that the writing circles are meeting a need to be heard and to process their thoughts through writing. Below is one of the poems that came from a recent writing circle. Thank you Chere Weiss for granting me permission to share it here. If you are seeking connection within a safe space consider writing with me on one of the dates listed below. No matter where you are, take care of your heart, don’t give up. The world needs your light.

Click on the links below for more information and registration. 

Writing for Renewal: Poetry Reflection Circle, 6/4, 7:00 PM PDT

Writing For Renewal: Poetry and Reflection Circle 6/17, 9:30 am PDT

Motherhood Explored: Women’s Writing Circle, 6/13, 10:30 AM

PDTMotherhood Explored: Women’s Writing Circle, 6/16, 7:00 PM PDT

Quarantine in Spring By Chere Weiss, April 15, 2020

The world as we knew it has imploded,
people are dying, we are afraid.
Stuck inside our houses we are; helpless, bored, sad, restless and annoyed.
Everyone is wounded, or grieving.
What day is it? It’s the day I woke up again.
It’s the day after yesterday and the day before tomorrow.
I am helpless and then a bird comes while I sit outside,
he is small and fierce with his song. So delicate, he sings so hard his body vibrates.
The cherry tree in front is snowing pink petals,
they coat my walkway and follow me into the house.
I am helpless and still my tulips stand tall,
closed tight teasing me with anticipation.
Every day I have no power, eager as a kid on Christmas morning
waiting for them to bloom.
I planted those tulips. They will open when they are damn good and ready
and their colors will astonish me.

Curious about weekly writing circles? Email me at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Past participants have shared this about my writing circles.

“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 it all. Meeting new people and seeing the similarities between us. This also opened me up to a broader feeling of gratitude.” – Mary
“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

Because now. – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 34 Comments
Photo by Roman Pohorecki on Pexels.com
on the beach I begin
because now I am ready and so are you
to turn our pain into fuel
build a bonfire to bring warmth
for all now sitting in cold darkness

I start with kindling of prejudice
add sticks of fear, logs of anger 
a heavy round of resignation
watch the flames ignite to hot glow

come close and sit with me 
add your logs to this burning pyre
hate and terror blaze brightly with heat
finally an efficient use for their energy

let’s watch flames of love
devour all that we believe we cannot face
to singe away, char and reform
all that has been holding us back

love knows how to transform
create a burning
to warm us all through
this dark night.

come to the beach
now we are ready

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night – Share your poem and explore the poetry of others.

What has yet to Appear – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 48 Comments

We are balancing between the blocks of our days large and small. Squares filled with the demands of our days and squares now left open. Boxes where plans once sat in happy company with future anticipation. Now canceled without pattern. Just scattered openings in the grid. Emptiness at first look, then disbelief. As we walk farther down the street, grief standing next to disappointment. Finally we turn the corner and see a tiny new patio garden. Someone is intent on growing beauty from strong willed, concrete pots. The first sprouts are just reaching free.

Determined seeds rise

there is always a crack, wide

enough for thriving

Lisbon, Portugal

This Haibun Monday over at dVerse Poets Pub we have a visual prompt. It was an new adventure for me. Click here to join the challenge.

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 9 Comments

As I continue to lead writing circles, I am inspired by the hearts and generous listening of others. Every time I write with others I am changed and lifted by the experience. Here in this space I am calling, Poems from the Circle, I will be sharing poems written by participants of my writing circles. We are stronger when we lean on and learn from each other. This poem is from Kelley Morris. I appreciate her willingness to share it here.

Silent River

Standing on the bank
All seems quiet
Water slowly
Drifts by
The movement
Difficult to perceive
I must be still
Listen closely
Only then
Will the river
Tell its stories
Of past travels
Around winding turns
Along cool stretches
Over rough rapids
Crashing past sharp rocks
Curiously chasing
The path ahead
Until finally
A free fall
Plunging to the
Clear pool below
Briefly resting
But never stopping
And now, it carries
My reflection while
Telling its story-
We have a lot in common
This silent river
And me

By Kelley Morris

You can find more of Kelly’s poems on her blog – pianogirlthoughts.com

When we gather to write.

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 9 Comments

In my writing circles we focus on listening. We listen to the poems being read out loud and we listen to each other. I never thought this specific, close listening would work online. I have been happily surprised. My writing circles have been gatherings of authentic reflection, heartfelt sharing and generated connection between people who have never met before. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to write with new people across the U.S. Each of us who joins the circle is embracing the slowing down that poetry offers. We are taking time to hear one another. And when we are heard, we are seen. I think this is more important than ever.

I would love to write with you, to hear your words as they come forth in the safe space of the writing circle. Click on the links below to register.

Writing for Renewal: Poetry and Reflection Circle – May 23

Writing for Renewal: Poetry & Reflection Circle – May 27

May love land on you today,

Ali

Unconditional

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments

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When it overflows,

clean and soothing.

 

A caress down your shoulders,

like fresh falling rain

 

a compassion of gentle

feathered touch.

 

The way you wished

your mother had held you

 

Hold yourself now,

embraced by love.

 

Within your own

two arms.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Imagination

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments

Photofox2

Thank you to Let it Ripple Studio for your imaginative inspiration. My poem is dedicated to your work in connecting us across the globe. May your inspirational leadership continue to thrive and connect us across the planet.

Ten years ago Let It Ripple Studio made a global, collaborative, 4 minute film – A Declaration of Interdependence. Maybe the “connected” sign language symbol shown in the video could be the new greeting to remind us all, while we are “social distancing,” that we are connected and interdependent.

Now they are asking, “Would you like to participate in our next collaborative short film?” The video will be based on an wonderful poem, Lockdown By Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 2020. Click here to join in.

Photo credit to an amazing photographer – Randy White.

 

Poetry Over Panic, let’s write together.

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 4 Comments

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We are unique and also the same. As I have reached out to write with others during this pandemic I continue to experience this. We are all coping. We all have emotions. We all need ways to empty out our overflowing thoughts. In my writing circles, I have noticed the fulfilling conversations, relief of writing it down and connections that bloom from shared writing spaces. I invite you to explore this for yourself. This isn’t about trying to create the perfect poem. You don’t need to be a poet or even call yourself a writer. This is about connecting as human beings. By writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity.

Click on the links below for more information and registration. 

Writing to Restore Ourselves: Poetry & Reflection Circle – May 14

Poetic Transitions: Writing Circle for Renewal – May 19

Writing for Renewal: Poetry & Reflection Circle – May 23

Writing for Renewal: Poetry & Reflection Circle – May 27

Curious about future writing circles? Email me at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Past participants have shared this about my writing circles.

“Thank you for your wonderful session yesterday. I came away feeling inspired and uplifted.You created such a welcoming space that I felt immediately at home.” – Karen
“I loved it all. Meeting new people and seeing the similarities between us. This also opened me up to a broader feeling of gratitude.” – Mary
“I have been writing with a group that Ali leads. I am not a creative writer and was wondering what I could bring to/get out of the group. I am surprised by where this takes my brain and my heart. Ali’s guidance and writing prompts are insightful. Writing with Ali has become one of gems of my otherwise isolated life.” – Nancy
“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

We are stronger when we lean on and learn from one another.

Ali

Quarantine Quadrille – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 33 Comments

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As the virus
careens,
spinning down
our long road.

The dust has yet
to settle
from the wheels

Slow motion,
particles falling,
We sift sillily
through,
glittered remembering.

Was that last week?

As I am here,
reaching
you are there,
still
only through airwaves.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille Challenge – silly

Saplings

Quote ~ ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

A beautiful poem of hope from MISTYROADS

Saplings

And so we grow,
In winds bent back
Against the storms
And lightning strikes.
Headlong,
Rise up,
Unfurl
In splendour
And well-lit grace
Of Swift footsteps
That forever change
And twist
In those brief sorrows
Of untrained reach
And growth in silent tears;
That dry in hope
And sunlight given.

Copyright ©RMC May 2020

Click here for more from  MistyRoads Blog