what you had always assumed to be solid, now is soggy sadness water warped windows with a view misguided, bent lines of memory altered truth to offer up unjustified reflections will you forgive yourself for all that was unseen before? © Alicia Grimshaw 2020 Photo take in Atlanta, Georgia
poem
Begin Again – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
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
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
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.
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.
Poems from the Circle
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
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
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
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
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.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 