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
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
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
© Alicia Grimshaw 2016
Resharing this post from a year ago. Still seeking peace.
The need that will not stop
the need to create for ourselves
speak with our hands
scribble with our minds.
Make, shape, build
add colors from inside.
Be
bolder than
we trust ourselves to be.
We share wisps of tender fear
kept hidden from view
like a shield of insecurity
tucked behind the ear.
Wary of those that come
with a look unfamiliar.
Remember
the power of the
impermanent paint
to include.
Lines drawn
to dare a crossing
or
to encircle all.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Street art – Lisbon, Portugal
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Anticipation of a sky in bloom.
explosions of joy for some
a trigger of fear for the newly arrived.
We the people
are the country.
Independence for some,
not yet all.
Freedom calls us.
Our diversity, our strength.
open peaceful arms
one love.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
Happy 4th of July. May we find a way to live in peace.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2017
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 