poem

Belief in Planting – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 21 Comments

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” – John Muir

As I dug deeply down to tuck you in safely, one by one, in softness, grounded for growth with care and wishes for your survival. (Awareness of my lack of qualifications and experience crowded into the activity like a boisterous neighbor who wasn’t invited. “This won’t work. You don’t know what you’re doing.”)

As I put my shovel away, I am thinking about internal resistance. My resistance to planting, to bothering with placing all of you in the earth. My head saying, “You’re doing it wrong. You will be disappointed.” My heart replying, “Let’s try. I need to wonder.”

Now I am pondering, curious actually, what would it be like to live without a belief in planting. Realizing I already know. I have been there and don’t want to go back.

I am seeding a future I cannot see. I am planting hope in the dark cold of winter. This includes garlic cloves and my belief in loving action to grow the next. Stepping into the unknowable with a curious heart that knows it doesn’t always work out and planting it anyway.

Later that day I found three more cloves in my pocket. Three that escaped planting day. Their potential is not lost. I will find time to tuck them to bed too.

Cover them with leaves.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Thank you Stephanie Matlock for nurturing my inner farmer and gifting me garlic to plant. You are the Garlic Master! Cobblestone Farms, LLC.

Tide Tables of the Heart – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 17 Comments 

when I feel that nothing matters
I will name it despair

and when a wave comes
I find quiet like
wind on my face

with the passing of the wave through me
(realization like a form of sleep apnea)
my breath returns as a gasp of awareness

unfolding the letting go is part of the wave
the part that reminds me, I am the water too
fighting to keep myself afloat is unnecessary

all depths of love are still finding us
do not fear 

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Here I stand on hope street keeping my hearthope alive.

Anti-freeze Preparation – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments 

Ms. Sunset is visiting earlier
Mr. Freeze is on his way

Who, how, and what 
will get you through
nightchill of dark dampness?

His voice warming?
Her listening light from miles away?

Spotify playlists, kitchen dances
singing in candlelight?

What'll it be?

Suggestions welcomed.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

If you have experienced SAD then you know if can be very impactful. If you haven't yet made a plan to support yourself through the dark months then there is no better time than today. Don't hesitate to reach out for support along the way. You are not alone.

It’s Quadrille Monday at dVerse Poets' Pub. 
Come join the fun HERE.

Navigating Us – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 2 Comments 


Before I walk away,
returning to a new season of my life,
let’s rewind this journey 
for one last view. 
Our thrills, near misses,
and countless conversations melted together,
weaving me into the true color I have become. 
Wherever I am
is your home
to come back to.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Photo taken in a small town in Colorado. Humans create amazing spaces.

Cross My Fingers – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments 


To see, feel, hold, wake 
determination cycles, knowing mistakes

enduring without audience
multi-stepped blossomed awareness
winging it

drenched ducks in a row
elation evaporation
mind marathons

love injects herself into the race

- all this comes after 
promising 

if your words are
tattooed as you

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join a welcoming community of poets
for today's prompt - promise. HERE.

Make Your Mark – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments 

A red geranium 
purposefully glowing
among the fallen leaves
lusciously living among the crisp.

It will not 
be denied its time of bloom
long past summer's farewell.

I want to be a mark of love on this world
just like that.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

This week I am challenging myself to grow by speaking with people I don't know with the hope that I will make a heart connection. The world needs each of us to show up. Whatever you have got to give, don't doubt the value of giving it.

Keep shining your light.
Ali

Lingering Light – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments 

Let's linger 
in Autumn glow
befriending dusk on its way

to cloak us with comfort
ease our worries loose
to fall.

Pausing here 
we become one with this 
seasonal scene of hush

before continuing our saunter
harvesting what matters most
from this day.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Rebalancing – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 4 Comments

“Noticing you’ve lost your balance is part of finding it again. Recognizing (and normalizing) imbalance is part of rebalancing.” – Lea Seigen Shinraku

Check out Lea’s free Love Yourself Now With Art Journaling Workshop on October 6 HERE.

Rebalancing

when she noticed her tilt
an unequal stance leaning toward tumble

she was lucky enough to remember
and send herself love to reorient, 
instead of judgement

when the rainstorm arrived 
she welcomed it without resistance
befriending her tipping vessel

rebalancing was just part of living
she could find her way drenched, 
as well as, dry

I have found writing with others to be a beautiful way to rebalance. Join me for an upcoming circle of poems, writing, and reflective listening. Email to register at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Upcoming Writing Circles:

Saturday, October 12, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT $20 

Saturday, November 2, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT $20 

Saturday, December 7, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT $20 

Equinox – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 47 Comments

During this one day of balanced light, I feel a lack of evenness. I’m ok with this. Acceptance has befriended me. I used to believe in a balanced lifestyle. I pushed and pulled my daily life to create this ideal. Now I am no longer focused on this achievement. Instead, I am chasing aliveness like a kite must feel the wind. I wish for floating and exhilaration to be part of my journey but I don’t expect it always. I am no longer keeping score of ups and downs and the need for them to equal out weekly. I am taking it as it comes with the hopeful intention of keeping my noticing alive. My noticing of a leaf color like a work of art. My noticing the clouds visiting the sky. My noticing of the tender light of dusk turning even the harsh landscapes golden. Tomorrow will hold a little more darkness yet some nights there will be stars.

tilt neither toward, nor away

acceptance lights us

tonight darkness leans closer

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join us at dVerse for a celebration of Haibun Monday: Equinox. HERE

Let there be no doubt – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments

“Take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away, but
do not take from me your laughter.” – Pablo Neruda


Like rain on wildfire 
I am quenched by your voice.

I hadn't realized my shrunkenness
my dehydrated heart in wait.

Your laugh rippled across the crowd.
I could feel your presence of lightness in its cadence.

It is all the more precious to hear
knowing that life isn't easy for you.

Your laughter is like a defiant call
of the joy riding alongside the grief.

I feel it in my dancing bones
as I twirl toward your part of the floor.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

This poem is dedicated to my friend, Valerie. Her laugh is steadfast and generous. It always makes my heart smile. Whose laugh lights up your day? I hope you will let them know. 

Join a welcoming group of poets at dVerse Poets' Pub for this poetics challenge. You can visit HERE.

Life is short, 
love big.

Ali