dVerse quadrille

The elders of the forest emerge – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments 

and now they are telling the story
of a new season

their trunks and branches like bones bearing 
tendergreen new notions.

While walking 
we breathe them in 

desperate for another way to see.

Creek waters accompany us
while heartbeats slowly join

writing another generation.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2026

This photo was not generated by AI. It hasn't been altered. Last summer my husband, some friends, and I hiked to this lovely blue pool in Oregon. Those are my purple shoes. Seeing this felt like the miracle, like a new idea feels when it comes from the heart. Keep seeking, my friends. 

This poem was inspired by De Jackson's prompt for dVerse Quadrille. You can read others' poems by following the link, HERE.

My Hibernaculum – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 34 Comments 

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

Ephemeral – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 47 Comments 

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.

Could it be this simple? – Poem By Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 46 Comments 


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?

What will you pair together? – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 15 Comments 

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.

Anti-freeze Preparation – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments 

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.

Cross My Fingers – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments 


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.

Before We Grew – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 32 Comments 
"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.

No Recording Exists – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 44 Comments 


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.

Shall We Take A Vote? – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 32 Comments 


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.