© Ali Grimshaw 2019
When the crack widens to an unknown view
fear can squeeze in between rough edges of darkness
quickly slide in, expanding like a balloon
barricade of shadow to seal the entrance.
Yet seekers of light will never be dismayed by tricks of perspective
their wisdom of the season’s shifting songs sing them forward.
When eyes look with love, illumination is present for all
allowing forgiveness to set another place at the table
where lanterns burn long into the night.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
Dedicated to all of those who make the world a better place by generously giving their light.
If you happen to be in Vancouver BC, Canada on Saturday December 21, check out their 26th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival put on by the Secret Lantern Society. Even if you can’t go, you will find their website inspiring with free community events including a labyrinth of light and workshops to make lanterns. What beauty communities can create when they come together.
What do you hold onto
when the bottom drops out
leaving you foundationless?
Your roof carried away by a tornado.
Left only with blankness and a pen
you forgot was in your hand.
I draw myself a new house
openness of windows, tin roof to hear rain
a welcome door without requirements
with the hope that you feel safe enough to visit
uncensored, just as you are not
when you leave the premises
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
“Active Hope is a practice.
Since Active Hope doesn’t require our optimism, we can apply it even in areas where we feel hopeless. The guiding impetus is intention; we choose what we aim to bring about, act for, or express. Rather than weighing our chances and proceeding only when we feel hopeful, we focus on our intention and let it be our guide.”
– Joanna Macy, respected voice in the movements for peace, justice, and ecology.
The quiet between us
like floating icebergs
frostbit tongues in stillness.
Is it that we have forgotten what to say
misplaced our formula to speak,
a habitual slow retreat to safety?
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
I am uncertain how to start the
defrost cycle.
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
I hate to tell you this
considering years of embellishment
toward your deceitful, tough guy
unruly reputation,
but I see a small
crack in your story
sliver width, just wide enough
some truth slipped through
No one is listening yet
your secret remains safe
© Ali Grimshaw 2019
dVerse – Quadrille: Take a crack
What is love to me.
What is love?
What am i to love.
What am i?
Who are you to me.
Who are you?
Who are we to them.
Who are we?
Where are we to Mars.
Where are we?
Where am i to you.
Where am i?
What is love to me.
What is love?
Who am i to love.
Who am i?
I don’t often share poems from other blog sites but this one speaks so clearly to me of the simple power of love. Soak it in. who am i, from the blog Whisperthatecho
He brings me one each day
contrasts in shape, varied vibrancy
burnt red to ripe peach, presented
on the kitchen counter until evening
arrives at our window.
Held in his palm, our eyes meet
this wrinkled single donation
textured hues, imperfect edges
color story of today to cherish,
a temporary prize between us.
Trees give without expecting
something in return. Thankfully,
so does he.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
May you find someone to share the beauty of nature with today.
dVerse Poet’s Pub – Open Link Night
Maybe you’re not late.
Will you trust Mother Earth
with Autumn’s end
even when you don’t feel ready?
Maybe you are right on time
keeping the cycle.
A tree with your own falling leaves.
Maybe your season is happening
just as it should be.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2019
I am honored to have my poem, Absent, in the current issue of Right Hand Pointing, Issue #135 Sneak Attack.Thank you to Dale Wisely and Laura M. Kaminski for sharing my voice. Since 2004 Right Hand Pointing has been providing a fulfilling combination of short poetry, very short fiction, art, and other things. I have been inspired multiple times by their past issues.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 