within a velvet-soft interior
with a rocking chair enhancement
humming songs of ease
murmurs of a river echoing back
pine-warmth abundance of fresh
beginnings welcoming endings
encircled by a clear frozen glaze
of quiet just rightness
overflowing contentedness
safety of the heart
© Ali Grimshaw 2025
Join a welcoming group of poets
at dVerse Poets’ Pub
for Quadrille #238- HERE
Hibernaculum – a noun for a winter shelter or place of hibernation
This calm is only an illusion
a photographic alteration
of a moment, where
leaves confetti-whirl, flutter fly, fancifully
surfing wild winds with surrender.
Smiling, I accept their invitation to frolic
following one golden riffle
then a tangerine-red
in beautiful celebration
of all things temporary.
© Ali Grimshaw 2025
Join a welcoming group of poets at dVerse Poets’ Pub.
Quadrille Monday. HERE
Photo taken on one of my many walks through Amsterdam in 2019.
Dancing across language barriers
hands collectively repair.
We reside just a hoot and a holler away
from each others' doorsteps.
We are Team Earth,
shining golden against gunmetal gray.
Let's shovel out resignation
plant a tree, then another.
I will bring the watering can.
©Ali Grimshaw 2025
I created this small artwork based on my love of trees. Team Earth, I am always on your side.
Join a friendly community of poets HERE
at dVerse Poetry Pub for a fun quadrille challenge.
What do you give a hoot about?
teapot with toaster
smokey skies, lost hope
bridges, boundaries
hints of forgiveness, open passageways
returning again to locked doors
rainboots greeting purposeful puddle stomping
associations that may or may not
be related depending on who is listening
what will you put with that word?
© Ali Grimshaw 2025
Visit a friendly poetry community at dVerse Poets’ Pub for Quadrille Monday.
Join the fun HERE.
Photo taken of the St. John’s Bridge, Oregon.
Ms. Sunset is visiting earlier
Mr. Freeze is on his way
Who, how, and what
will get you through
nightchill of dark dampness?
His voice warming?
Her listening light from miles away?
Spotify playlists, kitchen dances
singing in candlelight?
What'll it be?
Suggestions welcomed.
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
If you have experienced SAD then you know if can be very impactful. If you haven't yet made a plan to support yourself through the dark months then there is no better time than today. Don't hesitate to reach out for support along the way. You are not alone.
It’s Quadrille Monday at dVerse Poets' Pub.
Come join the fun HERE.
To see, feel, hold, wake
determination cycles, knowing mistakes
enduring without audience
multi-stepped blossomed awareness
winging it
drenched ducks in a row
elation evaporation
mind marathons
love injects herself into the race
- all this comes after
promising
if your words are
tattooed as you
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Join a welcoming community of poets
for today's prompt - promise. HERE.
"Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is about." - John Mayer
blue bicycle with banana seat
pedaling freedom
handlebar tassels in the wind
berry-stained fingerprints
juice of summer gods
anointed by sunshine days
of tree limb lounging
bushwacking our trails
until the dinner-bell
dirt-clod fights
"you're on our team"
where the good guys
always win
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Photo of Wakeena Falls, Oregon. It is one of my favorite places to hike to in the summer.
Visit a friendly poetry community at dVerse Poets’ Pub for Quadrille Monday. Join the fun HERE.
a fantasy figment fell
from the clouds
bounced off my head
into my heart
singing, I followed the
feeling of companionship
neighbors heard my song
dropped their projects
flung their phones
joined jubilance
parading down the street
we were something together
one gleeful song
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
Join a welcoming community of poets at dVerse Poets' Pub, HERE. Tonight's challenge - write a quadrille using the word figment.
Photo taken in Portland, Oregon. I am a fan of murals and always look for them when I travel.
a dazzle of zebras
a tower of giraffes
and the alligators gathering
a congregation
how did these words arrive
and who says we can't
extend the collectives
I'm voting for a blaze of
cherry tomatoes
still sunwarm at dusk
a party in every bite
© Ali Grimshaw 2024
I first learned about a dazzle of zebras on a trip to Kenya in 2023. What a great word. This poem led me down a rabbit hole to learn more about the history of collective nouns. Here is a fun article if you are curious, A Shrewdness of Apes? Collective Nouns Are a 500-Year-Old Language Fad
Join a welcoming community of poets
at dVerse Poets' Pub, HERE. Tonight's challenge - write a quadrille using the word blaze.
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.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 