poems

Transition – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 25 Comments 





What happiness can arrive
when sunlight's retreat paints

 leaves cherry crush, berry swirl
 butterscotch eye candy

 walking through an ordinary Monday
 your hand in mine, we breathe the awe
 
street lined masterpieces
colored by a lack of chlorophyll

 less of something  
 created more today

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Quadrille





Portland, Oregon 2020


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End of the Rope – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 21 Comments					

				

		
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The rope winds gently around my waist,

twisted, smoothly strong by years of mistakes,

trying again, doubt and wondering how.


Thick with memories of others who

believed with the strength of solid ground.

Believed that all earthquakes eventually stop shaking.

Believed in soil’s ability to grow what we need next.


The end of this rope was handed to me long ago.

A generous lifeline offered for free

to keep me on the planet.


Now I look down at the rope in my calloused hands,

threads of the millions, an explosion of frayed ends,

their forgivings, endurance,

the woven learnings of my ancestors.


The rope loops back and around me,

over and over,

then off into the distance.


I don’t need to see the end now

to trust it is anchored deeply somehow.


© Ali Grimshaw 2020


Inspired by William Stafford’s poem “The Way It Is”


dVerse – Final Couplet Prompt


Photo taken in on my last trip, Château de Suscinio in France.

			

	


				
					


	

			
Because Now – poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 40 Comments					

				

		
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on the beach I begin

because now I am ready

and so are you


to turn our fear into fuel

build a bonfire to bring warmth

for all now sitting in cold darkness


I start with kindling of prejudice

add sticks of anger

a log of fear

a heavy round of anxiety

watch the flames ignite to hot glow


come close and sit with me now

add your logs to this burning pyre

hate and terror blaze brightly with heat

finally an efficient use for their energy


let’s watch

as flames of love

devour all that we

believe we cannot face

to singe away, char and reform

all that has been holding us back


love knows how to transform

create a burning

to warm us all through

this dark night.


come to the beach

now we are ready


© Ali Grimshaw 2020



			

	


				
					


	

			
Coddiwomple – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 38 Comments					

				

		
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Even without

a roadmap

I can follow

the song

of my

heart’s direction.

Sing along

while keen

to its increase.

Turning

in time

so as not to

lose the melody.

Ears intent on

wholeness of being

following

fulfilling

fondly

easing my ache

of confusion.


© Ali Grimshaw 2020


Coddiwomple (v.) Origin: English Slang Word.Definition: To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.


dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille “Fill”


Photo taken on my trip to Amsterdam, October 2019.

			

	


				
					


	

			
Pain & Renewal
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 43 Comments					

				

		
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I am doing cartwheels over the reality that I am a part of this new anthology. What an honor to be included alongside so many amazing poets. A huge thank you to Brian Geiger at Vita Brevis Press for his vision and hard work to make this a reality.


Pain & Renewal: Poetry Anthology published by Vita Brevis Press now available on Amazon (digital & print versions are available)

			

	


				
					


	

			
Liberation – poem by Ali Grimshaw
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 43 Comments					

				

		
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Within this cold capsule

unable to expand, frozen

limbs ache with limitations

of tight thoughts.


let thaw my mind

melting madness, tips to toes

until I sting with vitality

of circulation returning.


unwilling to still my spirit

any longer, wind brings

deliverance of movement.


© Ali Grimshaw 2019


December Quadrille – dVerse 

			

	


				
					


	

			
Anticipation of beginning again
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 18 Comments					

				

		
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Like spilt milk

later to sour

an immediate response

to cleanse

wasn’t enough.


A whiteness that

blanked out what

we had been

like our love

lost consciousness.


Now after, the hours of it all

we face each other

in anticipation

hold a canvas cleared.


Dip your hand with me

to paint the next.


© Ali Grimshaw 2019


dVerse Poets Pub – waiting 

			

	


				
					


				
					


	

			
You are the landlord
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 19 Comments					

				

		
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Overwhelm has taken

up residence

in your brain again?


You wrote the rental

agreement, chose

the limits.


Remember, you

can evict it.


© Ali Grimshaw 2019


“I Reject Walls”: A 2019 Poetry Preview” by CRAIG MORGAN


“So here are a few of the upcoming books of poetry I’m most excited about, books that are keeping me from losing hope, books that remind me that, even as America is at its most divided, its language is about synthesis, about coming together, about dissimilar things that form a gorgeous and powerful whole. These books are angry, they’re afraid, they’re grieving and hoping; so am I. I’m grateful for their company.”


The power of poetry. You can’t help but want to see this list.

			

	


				
					


	

			
Learning to Dive
		

				

						 ~ Ali Grimshaw			 ~ 25 Comments					

				

		
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One day I finally knew that I could swim

in the blue of the sky.


That I was as strong as my declaration.

My fears, teachers made just for me.


That there would always be cracks to slip through

times of trembling, shaken awake to fall again.


Then I stood next to the lake,

a mirror of blue sky wholeness,

arms wide with acceptance


I, the problem and solution


dove into


reflection of release.


© Alicia Grimshaw 2019 (rewrite of 2017 poem)


Photo taken on a family trip to Varenna, Italy 2016