Without Wings
poem
The Aha
Once balanced on their ends
the squares fall, one nudging the other.
A tumbling of memories,
replaying like a film made from still pictures.
held together by a plot that used to make sense.
Now I hold a new appreciation for the structure
that held them in place for years. The straining sides
that were keeping order, now dissolved,
layers becoming a ferris wheel of change
arriving as a new shape on the floor.
© Ali Grimshaw
Embrace the Struggle
Strength Training
Today
I possess the power
to return your judgemental gaze
with full ownership of who I am.
“Yes, this is me.”
A me of mistakes,
fearless learning,
repeated crashing and rising,
heart wide open
scars and wounds visible
capable of the unimaginable
love of Herculean strength.
I won’t ever fit in your box.
I am my own coloring book.
© Ali Grimshaw
Hold The Light
Years of Isolation
A need for self protection
more fierce, more essential
than life itself.
The consuming energy of keeping her heart safe.
The waning strength to keep the walls fortified.
To give without receiving.
To live without wanting
A game of survival that she only knew
how to play alone.
© Ali Grimshaw
Lay down your struggle.
Remembering …
I miss the days of your eyes
a yearning treasure seeker
when I was the X on your map.
© Ali Grimshaw
By Myself
Alone is different
than loneliness.
connection, a link, from one to the other.
not trusting, disbelief, an arm’s length away.
impenetrable invisible cushion
keeps me hidden even
when you think I am there.
Will I let you know me?
The jury is still out.
© Ali Grimshaw
Procrastinator’s List
My list is overflowing,
letters fall off the page,
some words jump
knowing they will get more attention elsewhere.
Many items tired of being ignored
have started a support group.
finish is used to making friends by now.
Each longs for special alone time with me
eagerly waiting for the big day
the black line drawn
through their middle.
The gold medal of achievement.
© Ali Grimshaw
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 