Interruption

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

Pulled from sleep by fears of failure.

Stumbling down a hallway of thought.

Was it lack of effort, stubbornness

or a tunnel of perspective with only one exit,

that lead me to this worried space

awake before the sun has risen?

© Ali Grimshaw

Departure

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 5 Comments

Sometimes I think back on that night.

Your eyes intent on explaining, a look of determination,

of wanting to give.

I remember trying to hear you,

wanting to understand and failing to understand.

With each new telling, static filling the room.

Making adjustments to find your frequency.

Unable to tune you in.

Now I am left wondering.

What was it you so badly wanted me to know.

Feeling like I couldn’t get to the airport in time,

before your message took flight.

© Ali Grimshaw

 

Here to Listen

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 2 Comments

 

Tweeting and yelping and posting and texting  

so much to say

words flying, tumbling, and flung fast 

landing so loudly

I cannot hear the song of your voice

knock on my door

at least let me try to hear your words

as they fall from your mouth

with nothing added but fresh air

© Ali Grimshaw

 

 

Reflection

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 5 Comments

You are a blue sky.

A color that I love to get lost in.

A consistent and ever-changing

backdrop for others,

and stand alone marvel.

Sometimes filled with challenging clouds

opening my eyes

to visions of blue

I’ve not seen.

© Ali Grimshaw

Opening Night

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 4 Comments

 

As I take the stage, a new act begins.

Blame like a heavy blanket covers me.

A character from my past has written my lines for today.

I was, who I was… in that story.

I could not have been the lessons I had yet to learn.

My history dictates the life I have in this scene.

You enter the stage to stand with me

placing a firm foot on my blanket’s corner.

Silent action that commits to my life what no other has.

Unwilling to let me sleep walk in darkness.

As I step forward lighter than before.

no longer reciting a past script,

I speak my first words.

© Ali Grimshaw

Nurturing a Color

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments

In fading light,

glowing colors blend

and it is impossible to tell

where one begins. So it is

with you and I. When did I begin on my own?

So many years you nurtured and cooked, rocked,

encouraged, and cared for me while fighting for yourself.

As we unblended and became our separate colors, lessons were learned.

What was said and what was left empty in the room for me to choose.

The boundary of where you stood, lines I sometimes crossed.

In the mirror of the years I am in awe of your effort.

You gave, at minimum, years of listening

with your whole face turned toward mine.

Intent on taking each word in

not letting a single one

escape your ear.

Mother’s Day 2016 – Dedicated to my mother and her commitment to keeping her colors vibrant while letting me find my own. 

© Ali Grimshaw 2016