poem

Poems from the Circle

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 9 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

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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“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

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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

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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

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“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.