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
d’Verse Poets Pub
Let Go
“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
End of the Rope – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
The rope winds gently around my waist,
twisted, smoothly strong by years of mistakes,
trying again, doubt and wondering how.
Thick with memories of others who
believed with the strength of solid ground.
Believed that all earthquakes eventually stop shaking.
Believed in soil’s ability to grow what we need next.
The end of this rope was handed to me long ago.
A generous lifeline offered for free
to keep me on the planet.
Now I look down at the rope in my calloused hands,
threads of the millions, an explosion of frayed ends,
their forgivings, endurance,
the woven learnings of my ancestors.
The rope loops back and around me,
over and over,
then off into the distance.
I don’t need to see the end now
to trust it is anchored deeply somehow.
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
Inspired by William Stafford’s poem “The Way It Is”
dVerse – Final Couplet Prompt
Photo taken in on my last trip, Château de Suscinio in France.
Pep Talk – poem by Ali Grimshaw
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
Show up.
Be your
unique colors.
That’s enough.
Even when you doubt.
Even when you think it won’t work.
Even when you’re scared.
Show up.
That’s enough.
Those that came before
did just that.
Day after day
after day.
Show up.
Stand up.
Speak up.
Stop to listen from your heart.
Breathe.
You are ok.
Now repeat.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Photo taken in NYC July 2019
Coddiwomple – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
Even without
a roadmap
I can follow
the song
of my
heart’s direction.
Sing along
while keen
to its increase.
Turning
in time
so as not to
lose the melody.
Ears intent on
wholeness of being
following
fulfilling
fondly
easing my ache
of confusion.
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
Coddiwomple (v.) Origin: English Slang Word.Definition: To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.
dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille “Fill”
Photo taken on my trip to Amsterdam, October 2019.
Character
I hate to tell you this
considering years of embellishment
toward your deceitful, tough guy
unruly reputation,
but I see a small
crack in your story
sliver width, just wide enough
some truth slipped through
No one is listening yet
your secret remains safe
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
dVerse – Quadrille: Take a crack
Leaf Man – poem by Ali Grimshaw
He brings me one each day
contrasts in shape, varied vibrancy
burnt red to ripe peach, presented
on the kitchen counter until evening
arrives at our window.
Held in his palm, our eyes meet
this wrinkled single donation
textured hues, imperfect edges
color story of today to cherish,
a temporary prize between us.
Trees give without expecting
something in return. Thankfully,
so does he.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
May you find someone to share the beauty of nature with today.
dVerse Poet’s Pub – Open Link Night
Deciduous – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
Maybe you’re not late.
Will you trust Mother Earth
with Autumn’s end
even when you don’t feel ready?
Maybe you are right on time
keeping the cycle.
A tree with your own falling leaves.
Maybe your season is happening
just as it should be.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2019
Anticipation of beginning again
Like spilt milk
later to sour
an immediate response
to cleanse
wasn’t enough.
A whiteness that
blanked out what
we had been
like our love
lost consciousness.
Now after, the hours of it all
we face each other
in anticipation
hold a canvas cleared.
Dip your hand with me
to paint the next.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
The Call
Just as she reached for the door
tear stained cheeks accompanied trembling
a last glance back.
Too numb, her sadness departed months ago.
The ringing phone called out to her
a nick of time, just right hesitation
before the unchangeable conclusion
could be undone.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
“Sometime round about the 1580s the phrase in the nick or in the very nick began to be used for the critical moment, the exact instant at which something has to take place. The idea seems to have been that a nick was a narrow and precise marker, so that if something was in the nick it was precisely where it should be.” http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-nic2.htm
National Suicide Prevention Week – click here for resources
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 