Solstice Lanterns

December 20, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 15 Comments

When the crack widens to an unknown view
fear can squeeze in between rough edges of darkness

quickly slide in, expanding like a balloon
barricade of shadow to seal the entrance.

Yet seekers of light will never be dismayed by tricks of perspective
their wisdom of the season’s shifting songs sing them forward.

When eyes look with love, illumination is present for all
allowing forgiveness to set another place at the table

where lanterns burn long into the night.

Dedicated to all of those who make the world a better place by generously giving their light.

If you happen to be in Vancouver BC, Canada on Saturday December 21, check out their 26th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival put on by the Secret Lantern Society. Even if you can’t go, you will find their website inspiring with free community events including a labyrinth of light and workshops to make lanterns. What beauty communities can create when they come together.

Housekeeping – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

May 19, 2019January 1, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments

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Where do you go after

you’ve swept up a dusty decade?

Voices of memories, dialogues of decisions

glinting pieces of effort,

shambled shards of mixed failures and gritty grains

of overcoming the odds. The minutes after

the disposal of what was,

a pause before, you’ve put away the broom.

Clean floor, the past no longer felt

between your toes.

Parallel

March 26, 2019March 26, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

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craters of care

shadow marked attempts

deeply rutted thinking paths

(your footprints alongside mine)

from days of trying again and

our laughter in piles around the room

you are there in all the footsteps

of my mind.

“footsteps of the mind” – Tuesday writing challenge at Go Dog Go Cafe

Looking Glass

March 16, 2019March 30, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 33 Comments

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With the brokenness

there is a choice

to hear the mirror
or bury that which you won’t face.
Without any proof
I know you can do the hard things.
It is courage coupled with action
that matters after we fall.

Brave has always

lived inside of you,

printed in bold letters.
Step forward
cloaked in courage to

pick up only the pieces that

are worth keeping.

Cee’s Black and White photo challenge

Forgiving Connects

Learning to Dive

January 20, 2019January 21, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 25 Comments

One day I finally knew that I could swim
in the blue of the sky.

That I was as strong as my declaration.
My fears, 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

reflection of release.

Photo taken on a family trip to Varenna, Italy 2016

Phrases on Fire – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

November 29, 2018 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 50 Comments

Now I sit inside heated regret
what I wish I would have said

rapid words that flew off my tongue
like butterflies leaving my mouth

beautiful at first sight, fluttering
toward you. With closer inspection

upon landing, were really illegal
firecrackers of burnt red destruction

flames that left you singed speechless
while I coughed on my smoking impulsivity.

Fire Up Creativity—dVerse Poetics

My light is shining

November 25, 2018January 13, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 23 Comments

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Thank you to Vita Brevis Poetry Magazine for publishing my poem,

What the Grieving Seek, this month. It is an honor to have my words shared on this poetry journal. Vita Brevis (life is short) aims to publish work that shows a keen awareness of not only art’s beauty and longevity but life’s toils and finiteness.

Please click on the above link to give my poem a visit.

May poetry touch your day.

Ali

Sandals in November – A poem by Ali Grimshaw

November 18, 2018October 15, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 37 Comments

They called her crazy
an attempt to freeze her with jeers
never understanding
that she chose
to avoid too much comfort.

Empathy would always
be her closest friend
arm in arm, they would
walk in sandals through
November frost.

Warmed by desire
for connection.
A step toward those
who had no shoes.

Quote

Forgiving Fridays

Finding Fault – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

November 4, 2018February 12, 2019 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 22 Comments

Blame is an easy

coat to wear, it’s large pockets

empty promises

“The impulse to create begins – often terribly and fearfully – in a tunnel of silence. Every real poem is the breaking of existing silence, and the first question we might ask any poem is, What kind of voice is breaking silence, and what kind of silence is being broken?” ~ Adrienne Rich

An invitation from now until November 6 to share poems of witness by advocating for justice, making a stand for equity, speaking up and out against injustice, hatred and bigotry. #poemsofwitness