plan for magic
then just begin
after all
aliveness is in the happening
(adventure cannot find you on the couch)
choose a cloud to follow
out the back door
let the sky touch your face
welcome all reflections
look until you find the
beautiful
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Join a welcoming group of poets
for Quadrille Monday at
dVerse Poets' Pub - HERE
Write a 44 word poem inspired by touch.
“Because the heart dwells in unattended dark, we often forget its sublime sensitivity to everything that is happening to us. Without our ever noticing, the heart absorbs the joy of things and also their pain and care. Within us, therefore, a burdening can accrue. For this reason, it is wise now and again to tune in to your heart and listen for what it carries.
– Let Your Heart Speak, John O’Donohue
along the path of daily breathing
to hear my heart’s needs
saturation of all to be felt
(all muscles need rest to continue lifting)
I sit inside a song of silence
listening for imaginings of the heart
possibilities of becoming
dreams beyond my thinking
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Quadrille Monday – Imagine at dVerse Poets’ Pub. Join in the fun HERE.
How many days can you claim bold aliveness
on an airstream of love
where wordclouds hover to make shadows?
What sweet relief to witness the magesty of
bloom on blue, a gathering of cells
multiplying magnificent.
"I'll miss you," he said in a whisper. "How many ways
can a mountian be climbed?"
Dipping skinny-style, screaming out in glee
we entered the river to revive.
Lavendar dusk of sky
arched islands like the backs of resting animals.
Oh, what can be unfolded inside my twisted heart
by sunlight on water if each person is a light
if we are billions of shades shifting into place.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Join in dVerse Poets' Pub OLN #354
Learn how HERE.
This poem was inspired by Laura's prompt - Last Year's First Eleven
I chose one poem from each month and used the first line to make
this new poem. All of these lines were from poems I posted in 2023.
Writing this was like a word puzzle.
Let there always be light
let light always be
shining to see you through
let light reach you
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
If you are like me, you have a lot to feel right now. This can be heartbreaking and sometimes even make you feel alone. I am offering these upcoming writing circles for you to pause and gather your words. It is the delight of my heart to hold space for you.
In these circles, we will be slowing down to listen for…
Saturday, January 27, 9:30 – 11:00 am PST $20 (two spots left)
Saturday, February 10, 9:30 – 11:00 am PST $20
Sunday, February 18, 1:30 – 3:00 pm PST $20
Circles are limited to six people. Each is a stand-alone offering. You can sign up for one or all. Your first session is free.
Please email me to sign up.
Photo taken in Coos Bay, Oregon 2024.
and just when I think “How much could it matter?”
someone shows me
how my listening can be love
how my actions can be a bridge
how little I still understand about what is possible
and I shout out, THANK YOU
constellations of gratitude
and atmospheric appreciation
to each and every life that has touched mine
for each life I have yet to encounter
© Ali Grimshaw 2023
Dear readers,
Just when I think, why in the world am I writing, blogging, and sending out poems, someone reflects back that it matters to them. I started sharing my poems to honor a friend’s request. It was uncomfortable and sometimes scary. What moved me forward is my belief that if my words connect with one person in a way that they feel less alone, then it is worth it. It is still uncomfortable to share my words and maybe that is part of the process of being seen by others and knowing you don’t have control of any readers’ interpretation.
Over the years I have experienced writing myself forward. I will continue to hold writing circles to support others on this journey. Because of all who have read this blog, I have this amazing learning adventure. Thank you for reading and reflecting back your thoughts. Thank you for sharing yourselves openly. May we heal the world with our loving listening of each other.
Don’t ever give up.
Hands of love are reaching for you
even when you can’t see them.
Happy New Year,
Ali
P.S. The photo is of my father’s hand and the hand of my oldest son. It represents healing across the generations.
“Air and light heal; they somehow get into those dark, musty places, like spiritual antibiotics.” – Anne Lamott
the need for skin on skin cool water on fevered temples being seen for who you are laughter around a full table help arriving on the horizon restfulness where the body returns to the ground floor in full abandon unexpected sunlight through winter windows holding hands with hurting hearts shelter of a single tree the surprise of a red flower © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Photo taken in Ethiopia 2023.
Hope is a muscle. It is a vigorous choice, to see what is wrong and what needs healing and needs repair and needs our attention and also to keep our hearts and our imaginations and our energy oriented towards what we want to build, what we want to create, what we’re walking towards. – Krista Tippett
if each person is a light if we are billions of shades shifting into place a musical kaleidoscopic view of chromaticity each piece a necessity of brilliant contrasts an ever changing infinitely beautiful song what splendor of possibilities sparkles this world if we chose ourselves as magnificent beings of change hope in full color © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Join me at dVerse Poets' for Open Link Night HERE.
Photo of stained glass skylight from Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain 2018. If you ever visit Barcelona don’t miss this space.
“The fire of a heart that loves is a flame that will never be put out.” – Anita Brooks
first you need to finish the falling let your pain bleed out all its colors let each vein be filled let each edge receive the final flow the leaves are showing you how beauty flames in seasons will you see yourself yourself yearning to fall free you can't begin again until you have left the branch you cling to © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Photo take in Portland, Oregon Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge Flame.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
Let's linger in the Autumn glow dusk is on its way to cloak us with comfort ease our worries loose to fall. Pausing here we become one with this seasonal scene of hush before continuing our saunter harvesting what matters most from this day. © Ali Grimshaw 2021 Photo take in Portland, Oregon 2020. Join me for an upcoming writing circle. I am honored to hold space for your words to appear on the page. Together we are finding our way forward. Saturday, November 18 at 9:30 - 11:00 am PST. $20 Monday, November 27 at 4:00 - 5:30 pm PST. $20 Email me to register at coaching@aligrimshaw.com
He throws down an eight of clubs. She counters with a merciless queen. Loss then gain the stacks grow bloodless conquering of another. They aim to slay the other while gaming with destruction. "I will kill you," she shouts with glee. There are no real winners in this game of war only silent members lost from a deck forever altered by the missing. The unequal sides of reds and blacks. All of the kings have gone missing. © Ali Grimshaw 2023 Photo taken in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I had an opportunity to reflect on the 1991 bombing of this town while visiting this past September. Written in response to the prompt, Poetics: Why war? come join a friendly community of poets on dVerse Poets' Pub, HERE.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 