Your First Home

Have you ever sat by the sea

listened to the voice in the waves

accompanied by the underwater drummers

pulling you back to a time

before words were spoken

a time of simultaneous floating

while anchored

a return to your first home

before your feet ever walked the earth?

 © Alicia Grimshaw 2017

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national poetry month

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Wanted:

A listener.

Intent on feeling instead of hearing my words.

Eager to sift out the ones I have outgrown 

return those that call my name, carry me forward,

speak them like a trail to follow when I am lost.

Will utter truth even when it cracks my surface.

Incapable of withholding even a syllable of himself

with the knowing it will suffocate our tomorrows.

Who will remember my voice,

long after I’ve gone.

Curiosity a must.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shadow of beauty

In beauty’s shadow

a crisp line, clearly defined

elegance of shape

where darkness and light kiss,

yet keep their boundaries

brought forth by the sunlight

and those who choose to stand in it.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Photo by Kirsten Schwabel (Thank you Kirsten for the beauty.)

Happy National Poetry Day 2017

Entangled

Cut yourself free

from the weight of all you have not forgiven

vitality constricted by past failures

a tangle of rope, that does not allow a full breath.

Tightening with each memory

of a time you did not stop it,

held mute as the words were flung your way,

didn’t stand up tall enough for yourself.

You carry fault for letting it happen.

Patterns of knots encircle your being.

Twisted, tight, wound round, a strangle of heavy.

If you would have been smarter, stronger, better …

tried just a little harder…

if you had only been more.

Use the knife, cut yourself free.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

womens-day-2110799_1920.pngI am taking a stand to eliminate violence against women. Thank you to all of the organizations who reach out to help women in need each day.

#BeBoldForChange – International Women’s Day 2017

Mantra

True words

are unsinkable

they rise to the top

like oil on the surface.

 

The rocks you tied to them

never enough weight to drown

what you didn’t want shared, temporarily

kept hidden under your tongue.

True words will escape, eventually

 

Your enclosed truth

held hostage by fear

wants to fly.

Let it.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017      Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Inspired by Monday Mantras and the word MANTRA -The literal Chinese translation of the word mantra is “true words.” Seek your truth and let this unique manta guide you through the week.  Mine is “Trust the journey.”

 

A letter from Spring

Dear ones,

I know you think me gone forever.

Tire of windwhipped ears, frozen fingers,

numb toes dancing in boots to regain feeling.

I noticed your hesitation at the door, a pause to brace yourself

before the blast of chill. Your hope pushed down deep,

warm in your pocket, is crumbling.

Before you go off on another rant let me point out,

Forsythia is blooming now, right next door.

Just when you can’t take another day

I will return,

a fresh bouquet in my hands.

Your ever loving and loyal,

Spring

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Photo taken right in my own neighborhood.

 

 

Music from the field

If the grasses could sing,

a pure note from each blade

their chorus accompanied by

angled beams of light

on each swaying tip

beyond this

yet unheard melody

is my love for you.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

#Loveuary Challenge

Putting the pieces back

 

I will walk beside you. Fill your cracks

with care. Speak your strengths, over

and over until they are glue. Help you

see all truly beautiful things were once

broken. I will love you with abandon

pour a hot cup of tea. Search for your

missing shards. Pluck out sharp words

used for self-inflicted pain. Chant, cheer,

and call your name. I will run ahead

to look for danger and get behind to push.

But please know you have the final piece

to set in place. I can’t make you whole again.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Photo thanks to PIXABAY

#Loveuary Challenge