Jump, leap, crawl and claw
there is a world outside
the hamster wheel.
You can step off, drop chains of thought
fall into peace.
Your forgotten power, remains inside,
no superhero costume
necessary.
Only willingness, rejection of old pattern,
refusal of squeaky wheel,
one step, to the side.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Rounded Barcelona 2017
Blurred branches of feeling
the intersection of “Not good enough,”
and “You fell for that again?”
awkward limbs that cross
and cross again in confusion. While inches
of growth reach, stretch toward light.
The turbulent angles discretely covered
by feathered orange deliciousness.
A fancy distraction,
just like my sunglasses and hat
a layer of colors,
the perfect cover up to keep
my crack of failure private.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Will you?
Fall, drift, yield
hand in hand,
warm kiss of palms,
veins of life intertwined,
before we,
plunge through crispness
to the other side
of golden.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
If you are in the Portland, Oregon area during the month of October come visit the Multnomah Arts Center Gallery where I will have some poems displayed in public for the first time as a guest of artists Erin Leichty and Martin Levin. I am also holding a FREE community event.
Paintings & Metal Sculpture, Featuring Poetry by Ali Grimshaw
“Holding Space” & “Meditations on the Platonic Solids”
Reception: Friday, October 6 • 7 to 9 pm
As I traverse
what do my footprints say?
Those who walk beside
a step behind and to the left will
see them. Mud messages dried
to become solid.
When my legs no longer walk
my tacks will speak out
a decodable message.
I hope you decipher
“Don’t give up.
Keep looking for the footprints
I am with you.”
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
In dedication to Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997) “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
The tree colors sing in unison
settle my rattled soul
unlike any music
ever heard.
This orchestra of leaves
soothes the tempo
that pounds from a
day of instruments
that refused to play
the same song.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
One day I finally knew that I could swim
in the blue of the sky.
That I was as strong as I declared myself to be.
That my fears were teachers made just for me.
That there would always be cracks to slip through
times of trembling, shaken awake to fall again.
Then I stood next to the lake,
a mirror of blue sky wholeness,
arms wide with acceptance
I, the problem and solution
dove into a
reflection of release.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Take in Varenna, Italy 2016
Parched again
cup empty
I guzzle gratitude
the only liquid
to quench the thirst
of fear.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
My eyes upon
what my body can do
in this now.
Gratitude for fingers that write.
Legs that walk me into the world.
A hand that can hold yours.
This migrating temple I possess.
A shell washed clean on sand
Your lips brushed across mine.
The aliveness that quickens.
Awe to wake up again.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 