poem

Begin Again – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments 
now, before the spark dims
and doubt blankets your 
mind with too comfortable

now, before familiar climbs onto your lap
with worries, warmly weighty
and resignation joins in to
pull courage from the room

now, before you forget 
the dreams of befriending
a green tree of sunlight
the touch of dragonfly landings.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

In this world of ever changing circumstances taking time to slow down with a poem and a small group of thoughtful people is, like a cool glass of water on a hot day, refreshing. I look forward to the opportunity to write with you.

Writing together can:
• Surprise and delight us
• Allow expression of feelings in creative ways
• Guide our own journey

Click on the links below for more information and registration. 

Writing for Renewal: Poetry & Reflection Circle Monday, July 6 12:00 PM PDT

Writing to Restore Ourselves: Poetry & Reflection Circle Wednesday, July 8 4:30 pm PDT  

Writing to Restore Ourselves: Poetry & Reflection Circle Tuesday, July 14 9:30 AM PDT

Curious about weekly writing circles? Email me at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Theory of the Undaunted

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 19 Comments 
hold spontaneity in one hand
hold courage in the other

after hesitation kisses you goodbye
free fall into your future

let possibility
fully fill your lungs

float untethered, without
holding your breath

until the shore
disrobes the fog

then swim with the passion
of another year

you never thought
you would have.

© Ali Grimshaw 2019

Evolving

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

The world needs listeners now more than ever. My writing circles are designed to practice deep listening and reflective writing in small groups. I am starting up another four week writing series on the second week of July. Curious about weekly writing circles? Email me at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

If I read you like a poem.

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 40 Comments 
If I brought poetry to your exhale
how would you breathe?

If you brought poetry to my cooking
how would it taste?

If we brought poetry to our conversation
what would we hear?

Would we notice the moan of wind 
escaping our arguments,

notice the water from our pipes is at a trickle, 
and our neighbors don’t stand in the front yard anymore

hateful weeds encroaching upon our edible garden
while voices overrun each other with lawn mower loudness?

A muffled fear, like cotton balls in our ears
falls free revealing the unison of our currents.
 
If I lived poetry
could I see the heart
underneath your skin?

Would you see me as a life 
as valuable as your own?
 
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

“Poetry, whether the writing itself is explicitly political or not, always seeks a better way to respond, to think, to live.” – E. Ce Miller, writer, journalist

dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night - share your poem and explore the poetry of others.

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 2 Comments 
we are held one moment, one
breath, one heartbeat at a time.

even when I feel I am falling,
I am held, safely.

sometimes the fire within,
which most often warms and
lights my next step, rages.

out of control – yes – that is the rage
unseen, well hidden and buried;
wounds of the past.

wanting to be felt, seen, honored –
so the soft warm light returns.

brighter, free.

heart opened.

By Carrie Cannady

I am grateful for Carrie’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle here. You can find more of Carrie’s writing on her blog, LeadOurLives.net

I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Together we are writing, listening and learning from one another. Share your voice with us.

Writing together can:

• Provide authentic connection

• Allow expression of feelings

• Guide our own journey

Click on the links below for information and registration. 

Writing for Renewal: Poetry Reflection Circle, 6/14, 7:00 PM PDT

Writing For Renewal: Poetry and Reflection Circle 6/17, 9:30 am PDT

Motherhood Explored: Women’s Writing Circle, 6/13, 10:30

AM PDTMotherhood Explored: Women’s Writing Circle, 6/16, 7:00 PM PDT

Curious about weekly writing circles? Email me at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

The purpose of mistakes

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 56 Comments 
You must lose things
to find them.
Rip to repair, slip
to find out,
who you return as.

Tumble through trials
be torn away
from the known
to evolve stronger.

You must reach 
your own hand
be burned unjustly
to hear my scar's story.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille #105 "Slip"

Because now. – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 34 Comments
Photo by Roman Pohorecki on Pexels.com
on the beach I begin
because now I am ready and so are you
to turn our pain into fuel
build a bonfire to bring warmth
for all now sitting in cold darkness

I start with kindling of prejudice
add sticks of fear, logs of anger 
a heavy round of resignation
watch the flames ignite to hot glow

come close and sit with me 
add your logs to this burning pyre
hate and terror blaze brightly with heat
finally an efficient use for their energy

let’s watch flames of love
devour all that we believe we cannot face
to singe away, char and reform
all that has been holding us back

love knows how to transform
create a burning
to warm us all through
this dark night.

come to the beach
now we are ready

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night – Share your poem and explore the poetry of others.

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 8 Comments

As I continue to lead writing circles, I am inspired by the hearts and generous listening of others. Every time I write with others I am changed and lifted by the experience. Here in this space I am calling, Poems from the Circle, I will be sharing poems written by participants of my writing circles. We are stronger when we lean on and learn from each other. This poem is from Kelley Morris. I appreciate her willingness to share it here.

Silent River

Standing on the bank
All seems quiet
Water slowly
Drifts by
The movement
Difficult to perceive
I must be still
Listen closely
Only then
Will the river
Tell its stories
Of past travels
Around winding turns
Along cool stretches
Over rough rapids
Crashing past sharp rocks
Curiously chasing
The path ahead
Until finally
A free fall
Plunging to the
Clear pool below
Briefly resting
But never stopping
And now, it carries
My reflection while
Telling its story-
We have a lot in common
This silent river
And me

By Kelley Morris

You can find more of Kelly’s poems on her blog – pianogirlthoughts.com

Unconditional

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments

img_3532

When it overflows,

clean and soothing.

 

A caress down your shoulders,

like fresh falling rain

 

a compassion of gentle

feathered touch.

 

The way you wished

your mother had held you

 

Hold yourself now,

embraced by love.

 

Within your own

two arms.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Imagination

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments

Photofox2

Thank you to Let it Ripple Studio for your imaginative inspiration. My poem is dedicated to your work in connecting us across the globe. May your inspirational leadership continue to thrive and connect us across the planet.

Ten years ago Let It Ripple Studio made a global, collaborative, 4 minute film – A Declaration of Interdependence. Maybe the “connected” sign language symbol shown in the video could be the new greeting to remind us all, while we are “social distancing,” that we are connected and interdependent.

Now they are asking, “Would you like to participate in our next collaborative short film?” The video will be based on an wonderful poem, Lockdown By Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 2020. Click here to join in.

Photo credit to an amazing photographer – Randy White.