No Explanation Needed

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments

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“A practice of gratitude is not about dismissing sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Rather, it offers us the opportunity to see that we often experience multiple feelings at once; to welcome joy into the same places where we hold grief; to turn our attention to what is quietly growing and breathing day by day, which, to our possible surprise, includes ourselves.” – Kristin Lin, Editor, The On Being Project

No Explanation Needed

You don’t have to explain
how you know where to go or when

stillness brings discomfort.

You don’t have to explain
why sorrow comes and goes

tears visiting your eyes again.

You don’t have to explain
when it happened for the first time

why you feel a mountain sits upon you.

You don’t even have to explain
why it matters so much.

I never need more than just you

Just sit down
next to me, the weight
of your shoulder touching mine

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Photo take in Lisbon, a trip with my sweetheart.

Overwhelm? Let’s Write Together

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 5 Comments
ground group growth hands
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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.

My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity.

Poetry Over Panic: Writing for Renewal – May 5

Poetic Transitions: Responding with writing (series) May 6 – 27

Writing to Restore Ourselves: Poetry & Reflection Circle – May 8

One of the delights of the writing circle is hearing what others share. This piece was written during one of our recent gatherings. I appreciate Jazz letting me share it here. It is about the connecting across borders. You can find her blog here, Steps and Pauses

Zooming

My thoughts hooking on others’
my words reflecting others’

Though we’re together briefly
these links extend beyond

Thoughts triggered together
expand, evolve ongoing

Four states, five women
writing together, catalysts

Each of us a key link
in a much bigger chain

©SJaeschke 2020

“I recently started writing with a group that Ali leads, Poetry Over Panic. 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 well thought out and insightful. Writing with Ali has become one of gems of my otherwise isolated life.” – Nancy

May love land on you today.

Ali

 

Finding Poems

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 36 Comments

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The Jade Mountain listens

Voices in the air remind me

What’s worth knowing

 

First things first,

loving what is

blue shoes and happiness

images of the other

in the carousel of life

 

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

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dVerse Poets Pub Challenge – Finding Poems in Bookshelves

Something you can count on – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 31 Comments

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The sky

it is never not there

will not leave a note goodbye

to disappear in the night.

Serenely blue, growl of gray

watercolored clouds a tumble

dependably ever-changing, yet

never forsaking.

When the curtain goes up at sunrise

a steadfast performance

worthy of an audience.

Don’t miss the show.

No tickets necessary.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Thoughts Swirling? Let’s write together

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 24 Comments
fashion woman notebook pen
Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

Lately I have been writing with people from all over the U.S. and beyond. It is always a source of joy and inspiration to hear what others share when they put words down on a page. We are unique and also the same. Writing together has been a habitual part of my life for many years. During this time, I have noticed the fulfilling conversations and reflections that bloom from shared writing spaces. I invite you to explore this for yourself. This isn’t about trying to create the perfect poem. It is about connecting as human beings.

Poetry Over Panic: Writing Circle for Positive Self Reflection – April 17

Writing to Restore Ourselves: Poetry & Reflection Circle – April 23

One of the delights of writing in a group is hearing what others share. This piece was written during one of our recent gatherings. I appreciate Louise letting me share it here.

This Thread is not like a river.
By Louise Gallagher

Unlike the river this thread has the power to flow backwards. I can follow its course deep into the stories
I tell of how I got here.
Unlike the river, this thread is not bound by its banks. It can overflow, threading off into territories long
forgotten in time’s passing.
This thread runs free. It is constantly unravelling time forwards and backwards. Casing through time and
place into the here and now where all I need to find myself is this thread which I can never let go of for
this thread tells the story of my life woven through the exquisite tapestry of my world shimmering in the
exquisite poetry of the love story that is my life.

You can find Louise’s blog filled with heartfelt writing and artwork here – dareboldly.com

This is the time to boldly take time to care of yourself.

May love land on you today.

Ali

 

Let Go

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 36 Comments

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“I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.”  – Barbara Brown Taylor

When the lights went out, she welcomed the dark

warm on her skin like an old friend

as nourishment for her sadness

leaves rustled a serenade to slow her pulse

the refrigerator hummed along

a reminder of the ordinary evenings

breath slowed, the world kept turning and she let go.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

dVerse – Perfect Seven Lines

 

 

Entryway

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 28 Comments

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And though it may seem
like never opening your eyes
will protect you.

Grief’s gentle hand
closing your eyes
to sleep the days away.

If you don’t awaken
there is no way for the love
to get in.

Put your OPEN sign back up.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Quadrille #101

“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief — But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.”

– Hilary Stanton Zunin

Poetry Over Panic: Online Women’s Writing Group

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

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

As the world shifts, I am looking for ways to give and create supportive community. With all the emotions swirling, we are faced with finding healthy ways to process them. Poetry provides powerful prompts for reflective writing and group inquiry provides a doorway into our own thinking.

My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity.

Tickets are available now for my new four session series. This small group will be limited to 6 participants to enable us to dive deeper into writing and sharing with each other.

Poetry Over Panic:

Women’s Writing Circle (4 week series)

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

Join me as we continue forward into the unexpected.

Love,

Ali

 

Certainty – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments

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After what seems like

cocooning within forever darkness

light breaks through.

 

Each bud tilts toward warmth

layers reveal themselves

open with ease of purpose.

 

Not because they were told

“It is time.”

facing the sun… their hearts knew.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Take the First Exit to the Right: A poem for Parents

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

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As you drive down the road of your day

I see you in a large convertible with your top down,

backseat sandwiched full of children.

In front of you, several large cargo trucks with unsecured loads,

packed quickly without care. The disbelief of it all.

You are following without another lane to change into.

I see you, white knuckled, hold on the steering wheel

as odd boxes and papers, like a flock, fly

toward your windshield to temporarily block your view.

Colliding with objects occasionally airborne.

You swerving with the responsibility of sheltering

your children from harm. All while they chatter

and throw questions at you from the rear seat.

A sensory whirlwind of sounds, movement and colors to navigate

as you drive. I see you seeking the stable horizon with your eyes,

to recenter, as events drop and plans bounce away. Readjusting

in the moment, with care, cussing and sometimes crying. Facing

the cracked windshield of the past week. Hair in your eyes, yet determined

to be all you can for your young ones. Your eyes are heavy with sleep.

I just want you to know that I have an empty garage.

Take the next exit to the right.

Yes, I can, and will shelter you for the night.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

Dedicated to all of the parents navigating during COVID19. Remember to pull over and take breaks.

dVerse Open Link Night 

World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Healthy Parenting