mental health

Weather Forecast

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

 

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Light does not fall on us equally.

There are hours of gentle illumination, while some remain in shadow.

Random flashes which leave you for no reason at the front of the line.

Or the end, randomly burned, scorched,

with head shaking disbelief. Tranquil dusk light on leaves.

Other days blinded into paralysis, unable to see a way forward.

 

I remain in a thundercloud waiting room, counting shadows like minutes.

Weatherizing my soul before the next hurricane.

Steadfast, determined in my stance, for a return of the glow

In stillness it will find me.

Sun’s warm hand on my back again.

This too shall pass.

© Ali Grimshaw 2017

Glow

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hesitation

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments

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Like the filthy inside out sock

squished at the bottom of the hamper

under stench of damp rags.

 

Life can feel like that place.

 

Maybe it is time to do some laundry.

There is no rule, no prize for

handling it alone,

an unnecessary isolation.

 

The borrowed red sweatshirt

arms wide on the top of the mound

is not an accidental reminder of love.

 

Call. Just call.

Call before you change your mind.

That someone has seen dirt before

and will listen.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

If you are struggling today check out this blog, The Mighty, You are not alone.

 

 

Footprints

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 13 Comments

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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.” 

Layered

Harmony in the Trees

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

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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

Leaf

 

Learning to Dive

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments

 

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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

Recreate

 

Emotional Gravity

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 31 Comments

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Awakened to the heaviness. A push

to breathe through a cage too small.

Despair sits on her chest, hands over her mouth.

Alone on this journey, he is no companion

just a magnetic pull toward the mattress

that she wishes never to leave.

He knows what others do not.

That she can’t put it down.

An unseeable stone she carries alone.

How much easier to be pulled under

than to keep afloat.

A desire for lightness like dust

in a ray of light.

 

If she only knew

invisible hands surround.

Waiting. Just waiting.

For her to say the word.

Help.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

National Suicide Prevention Week  September 10 – 16, 2017

http://stopasuicide.org/index.php

Reach out. Listen. You could save a life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments

image

I remain

steadfast

on the shoreline

tethered, weathered

yet still afloat.

My life preserver

ready to be thrown

your way.

Waiting

for your signal.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

National Suicide Prevention Week  September 10 – 16, 2017

http://stopasuicide.org/index.php

Reach out. You could save a life.

Photo Challenge – Waiting  Photo taken in Varenna Italy, 2016.

Inhale

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 22 Comments

 

Enlight24

Breath from within me

floats out to join yours,

to settle on the brown ground beside

join the atmosphere’s chorus

sing with your exhale.

 

The tree we sit beneath

is not excluded

from this song.

 

Lightly soft it hums

new life down upon us.

 

Static on the radio

world leaders move their pieces,

play the game of war.

 

Under the tree

we continue to breathe each other.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017/Rewrite 2019

 

 

Are you willing?

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 18 Comments

Enlight44

Beyond imagination.

Outside of your current image.

 

Your reflection lies in the eyes of others.

The eyes of those that surround

looking back at you.

 

See yourself there

to know where you are heading.

 

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017

Nose Above Water

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments

Just enough oxygen.

Not a breath more,

than what is needed

for life to continue.

Her body floats in liquid blue.

Hair feathered out

on the surface like tentacles

reaching for a firm grip,

a holdfast,

to keep from

going

under.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2017