Some see your failures
knocked down times in the dirt
I see your bravery for again and again
clear knowing of the cost to living
with your box lid on tight.
Determination to make your own view
a horizon few reach.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Photo by the talented Awar Meman. See his work on Instagram at pdxphotographer
Willing my body to enter the room
a mountain of mortification on my back
being seen while craving camouflage.
Owning the me that showed up
failure and intention, the human package
tied up with a bow of expectations.
While seeking an empty seat,
I investigate shedding shame, cast off
of the past. Owning my skin before
molting of forgiveness.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Sintra, Portugal 2017 – Weathered
Upright they stand
(weathered and disregarded)
thinking themselves powerful.
Vulnerable to elements and eyes
yet never losing their dignity.
It is clarity of purpose that
leaves them self assured
while the landscape
is transformed around them.
They will forever remain
side by side, dependable
a community of stone.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Portugal 2017
Unopened,
a day unlike any other,
full of promises on each fingertip,
waking to the blessing of a full breath,
expansion of love in your lungs
the privilege of aliveness
born dancing.
Happy New Year 2018
The Drabble has posted one of my poems today, Around the Corner. Today I will reach many more people with words of inspiration. This new year is full of possibilities. Don’t let your inner child hold you hostage. Jump into some poetry, swim around through the words and find something that will light you up.
Check out The Drabble at WordPress, a fun site dedicated to publishing original fiction, non-fiction, and poetic works of 100 words or less, on Facebook @drabblemag or on Twitter @the_drabble
My closed eyes wonder
have you been waiting for my call?
Are you one who waits?
One who waits to be
chosen
invited
picked?
Are you one who anticipates hopefully
rocking chair movement, back and forth
not going anywhere
waiting to open your door
find me standing before you?
Are you willing to be the one that shows up
arms wide, inviting in
the unprotected in downpour, ghostly gale,
frosty fear anticipating rejection?
Are you willing to hear the
no?
Are you open to the yes?
Which is more frightening?
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
By knowing you,
I find myself.
Now and 90 years wrinkled.
My doubts don’t exist in your eyes.
You see the chipped edges
scars of failed attempts
places worn raw from not retreating.
The rough, abeyant curves of my puzzle.
You see my essence of spirit
gently hold it all up,
a mirror before me,
now I can see,
for myself,
who I am becoming.
Revised version of the original poem shared in 2016
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Please return the glass bowl
the one with the orange lid.
Surely it is empty now, alone
on the shelf or behind the rice jar.
It is not that I am in need,
I just found myself thinking
of its emptiness, a hollow of cold.
Loneliness I wish to fill with warmth of soup.
One spoon of comfort at a time
to refill yourself
on Tuesday night
after the day’s work is done.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 