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
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 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
dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night - share your poem and explore the poetry of others.
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
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"
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.
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
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.
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.
As the virus careens, spinning down our long road. The dust has yet to settle from the wheels Slow motion, particles falling, We sift sillily through, glittered remembering. Was that last week? As I am here, reaching you are there, still only through airwaves. © Alicia Grimshaw 2020
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 