poem

Weather Forecast – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 36 Comments
Processed with VSCO with c6 preset
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

Weather Forecast was first published on Vita Brevis 
Vita Brevis Press is a bestselling small publisher dedicated
to emerging and established poets, circulating their work 
in an online magazine and in physical anthologies.

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments 
I come into the Peace …… 
(from Wendell Berry) 

I come into the peace of the invitation of Light
From time to time I misplace this invitation Divine-
I even lose the map that used to take me home to you…. 
To Peace
But then after a simple invitation to write my heart
I am reminded of my Beauty
Your Beauty and the essence of life and 
Light. 

By Bahareh Amidi Ph.D.

I am grateful for Bahareh's permission to share her poem 
from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing people 
across different time zones. Writing together provides a 
mirror for us to process life in a safe place. 
Interested in joining a writing circle?
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

For more about Bahareh, her poetry and contributions
to others as a Poetry Therapist follow the links below.
Website: www.bahareh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaharehAmidi
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BaharehAmidi
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/BaharehLIVE

Together

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

Writing together can:
• Surprise us. Mend us. Renew us.
• Allow expression of feelings in creative ways.
• Guide our own journey.

Coming together, with folks I have never met, across great distance
to cherish poems and write together is hope in action. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space to hear your inner voice and experience authentic connect with others. So wherever you live I would love to meet you. Click on the links below for more information.

Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle Sundays

December 13 at 4:00 pm PST register here – Eventbrite.

December 27 at 4:00 pm PST register here – Eventbrite.

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments 
On and On We Go
On and on we go
 every second, a commitment
 every breathe, a moment
 every moment, a feeling
 every feeling has a heartbeat
 and the beat goes on and on
 a soft beat to every step, to and froe
 and step by step the moments go
 a quest for answers never stops
 until our eternal sun drops

By Ivor Steven 
You can find more of Ivor's wonderful poems 
here, on his blog.

I am grateful for Ivor’s permission to share his 
poem from the writing circle. I continue to 
meet amazing people across different time zones. 
Writing together provides a mirror for us to process 
life in a safe place.
Interested in joining a writing circle?  
Join me this Sunday, click here to register
or Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Lens-Artists Challenge #123 – Found in the Neighborhood - I like this photo challenge of finding joy close by. The photo above was taken recently on a walk in Portland, Oregon.

Sandals in November – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ 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 only by desire
for connection.

A step toward those
who had no shoes.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
Quote

dVerse – Open Link Night

When Comes The Night

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 25 Comments 
after the sordid day
rain recalls the language of music

and I go, leaving frenzied voices behind
to bed beneath magnetic star spray

to see above the thousands
while I hear the lake moon moan

when can I live life
as ripe peach sky?

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Quadrille - Poetical Magnetism

I have never liked crossword puzzles but I got a kick out of this magnetic poetry site. What a fun way to play with word use.
Check it out here. magnetic poetry

One breath – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

I want to launch into the air a thousand words of love. Handwritten and in every font, (even the unpopular ones) lines and curves that will rise and carry us forward upon touch, and to accompany these words, send the sounds that bring us alive, like birdsong, a child’s laugh or footsteps echoing toward home. Release them as a million messages to freely be carried by the breezes that reach us all, to land on building tops and crosswalks, to fall in the teacups of the grieving, in the tangled hair of skipping children, to settle on weary parkbench sleepers, cling to the yet delivered news traveling with the sunlight to the next continent, let the words land on the bare hands of the parched and weary like raindrops on the skin of those that need it most.

I pause here to take a breath and now realize you are still listening. How generous of you.

What do you want to launch into today?

I’m listening.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

Join us for Open Link Night on dVerse

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Outside of Your Home or View – Oregon Coast

Shift – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 14 Comments
Leaves in an Oregon River
absent stood out
on the page of my day,
like sharp yellow highlighter,
a biting bright contrast,
to your slight soft smile.
Remembering our laughter
mixed with warm sunlight smell
of blackberries, overripe
with the end of this season,
some clinging to the vine.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2019

As we shift to the next, there is a tension of holding on 
and letting go. I feel this as I experience goodbyes 
and new places. Sending love to anyone who is saying 
farewell and transitioning with this season.  Let's 
welcome in the new colors that arrive with this change.
 

Nested – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 45 Comments
  • Salmon River, Oregon
Somedays we may
need to return to the nest
lined with words of hope,
blanketed by belief
in our ability to fly again.

Somedays we may
need to hold ourselves
leaning into curved sides
of this small structure
built by someone who loved us.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Poet's Pub - Quadrille #113: Blanket Us

Let Fall Catch You – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 29 Comments 
Painted leaves sing in unison
Unlike music, their song
is soundless harmony.

This orchestra of glow
soothes the tempo
of an internal pounding

from a day of instruments
that refused to play
the same song.

Fall catches you
with muted volume
a serenade of equilibrium

let the blushing colors 
sing you home.

© Alicia Grimshaw (rewrite of 2018 poem)