poem

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.

 

Quarantine Quadrille – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 33 Comments

img_2915

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

dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille Challenge – silly

No Explanation Needed

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments

IMG_5748

“A practice of gratitude is not about dismissing sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Rather, it offers us the opportunity to see that we often experience multiple feelings at once; to welcome joy into the same places where we hold grief; to turn our attention to what is quietly growing and breathing day by day, which, to our possible surprise, includes ourselves.” – Kristin Lin, Editor, The On Being Project

No Explanation Needed

You don’t have to explain
how you know where to go or when

stillness brings discomfort.

You don’t have to explain
why sorrow comes and goes

tears visiting your eyes again.

You don’t have to explain
when it happened for the first time

why you feel a mountain sits upon you.

You don’t even have to explain
why it matters so much.

I never need more than just you

Just sit down
next to me, the weight
of your shoulder touching mine

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Photo take in Lisbon, a trip with my sweetheart.

Something you can count on – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 31 Comments

img_1552

The sky

it is never not there

will not leave a note goodbye

to disappear in the night.

Serenely blue, growl of gray

watercolored clouds a tumble

dependably ever-changing, yet

never forsaking.

When the curtain goes up at sunrise

a steadfast performance

worthy of an audience.

Don’t miss the show.

No tickets necessary.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Let Go

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 36 Comments

img_0396

“I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.”  – Barbara Brown Taylor

When the lights went out, she welcomed the dark

warm on her skin like an old friend

as nourishment for her sadness

leaves rustled a serenade to slow her pulse

the refrigerator hummed along

a reminder of the ordinary evenings

breath slowed, the world kept turning and she let go.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

dVerse – Perfect Seven Lines

 

 

Certainty – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments

IMG_0989

After what seems like

cocooning within forever darkness

light breaks through.

 

Each bud tilts toward warmth

layers reveal themselves

open with ease of purpose.

 

Not because they were told

“It is time.”

facing the sun… their hearts knew.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Caremongering – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 58 Comments

img_3070

house to house
neighbor to neighbor
kindness dissemination

this unstoppable virus of care
magical movement spread rampant

the isolated
blanketed with warmth
by open offers, action compassion

waves of encouragement through the window
one errand for survival at a time

an escalation of tenderness

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille “Magic”

Coronavirus: Kind Canadians start ‘caremongering’ trend By Tom Gerken

I’m Gonna Walk It With You

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 32 Comments

IMG_5344

“Well it looks like it might be a hard road but I’m gonna walk it with you.
And you know that you might have a heavy load but I can carry some too.”

This song is carrying me forward. I am learning the words. I am singing out even when my voice doesn’t sound pretty. Music heals and keeps us breathing. Sing yourself through the day. Here is the Youtube video. “I’m Gonna Walk It With You” by Brian Claflin and Ellie Grace

All of us
together
while separate
singing softly, for life
as we walk this road
let’s share the load
come together, while apart
in love.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Sending love to all those who are scared, worried, sheltering in place. Please let me know how you are doing. I am available to listen and write with you via skype, facetime or whatsapp. Together we will get through this.

Pep Talk – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 41 Comments

img_1650

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

Show up.
Be your
unique colors.
That’s enough.

Even when you doubt.
Even when you think it won’t work.
Even when you’re scared.

Show up.
That’s enough.

Those that came before
did just that.
Day after day
after day.

Show up.
Stand up.
Speak up.

Stop to listen from your heart.

Breathe.
You are ok.

Now repeat.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

Photo taken in NYC July 2019

dVerse Poets Pub – Lists Challenge

Singing through the cracks

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 24 Comments
Image may contain: outdoor, possible text that says 'Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen LIFE' A DANCETM'

And they sang
through the cracks of pain
through the wandering worries
through the regrets, determined desires
to be true to their calling hearts.

And they sang
because song was needed
because together their voices lifted
because all else didn’t make sense
because they could.

And others joined the circle

and they sang.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020