at either end of night there is an opening to light between, "Good Morning" and the next curtaining of eyes there is an opening between what remains on the list the permanently written yet unresolved and the one who holds the pen there is an opening without a defined doorway that resides within all light a heartspace without walls it lies in the pause before the next twilight of the in between rubythroat mellowing to nectarine ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 Join us on dVerse for Open Link Night HERE
she stood for listening
overcoming discouragement
and air that never burned your nostrils
she led by digging weeds with you
side-by-side overheated or drenched.
she never let fear ride in the front seat
and forever reminded me
the sun’s position
changes everyone’s shadow
everyone’s
©Ali Grimshaw 2021
Quadrille Monday on dVerse Poets Pub – Join a friendly group of poets HERE
Photo taken on a family trip to NYC. I just love this mural.
Guardian Lying on a bed Of soft clover And gentle ferns I gaze up at you- As your limbs Reach to the sky I cover my eyes In an attempt To shade from The sunlight Streaming down- Noticing my Squinting eyes You quietly call The gentle breeze To craft a lovely canopy From green leaves Allowing me to Once again See you clearly- Here we stay Until the sun Begins to set Until you Reach down Lift me up And tenderly Place me In the crook Of your strong branch- I rest my head In peaceful sleep By Kelley Morris I am grateful for Kelley's permission to share her poem from a recent writing circle. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. You can find more of her poems on her blog, pianogirlthoughts.com Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. No experience needed. All voices are welcome. Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle, Friday, August 13, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here
Dipping skinny-style, screaming out in glee, we entered the river to revive. Jumping away from the heated August afternoon only to return to the warm rocks and bask like turtles. Then followed hours of our rinse and repeat cycle as sunlight slid down the river. Summer freedom was its own kind of happy. Without the constraints of parents or the weight of planning for the future to come. We flew through the air trusting the pools to welcome us with a generosity that had held so many before our time. There were no thoughts of tomorrow. bubbled free water nymphs laze summertide ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 Join a welcoming community of poets at dVerse for Haibun Monday, HERE
Swimming upstream
feeling the pull
of this current
day of decisions
to be made.
Kicking away
troubled tributaries
“You will regret this.” They say.
Where is my ladder through?
(even fish get one of those)
I guess God must think
me an excellent swimmer.
©Ali Grimshaw 2021
Come join us for Quadrille Monday at dVerse HERE
Your error is forgetting that you also began as a seed. The starfish that loses an arm still thrives brightly seaward. The coyote howls, then listens through darkness to return to his pack. The angel oak's reach is far and long regardless of scarred branches. Can you see the lacework between the living? Each reaching out tied in small knots is also a receiving. © Ali Grimshaw 2021 Join a welcoming community of poets for OPEN LINK NIGHT at dVerse Poets Pub HERE
If we reject who we are bent feathers flawed and perfect as a sparrow we will lose the chance to know what it means to fly with love to know its power of lift to feel it under our wings to rest on its currents letting us soar without effort until we are restored ready for the next journey skyward when we have lost our belief in flight we don't need to learn how to fly just remember we were born knowing how ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 I was inspired to write this morning after listening to Mary Oliver read her poem. Click on this link to listen to her. - Mary Oliver: I Happened to be Standing Join my newsletter for upcoming writing circles. HERE Photo of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon 2021.
Life’s roar a whisper Country road curves with no plan Afternoon of you. ©Ali Grimshaw 2021
via Crocus blossom — Vova Zinger’s Photoblog
each day a reaching of outward iridescence threaded violet choices ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 Thank you to Vova Zinger for granting permission to share this inspiring photo as an accompaniment to my poem. I have followed Voya's photography blog for quite a while. His images are fantastic. I love writing with people from around the world. Come share your voice within the writing circle. You may be surprised how the words can flow forth with ease. All voices welcome. Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, July 9, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here
This tastes like the memory of that simmering summer day. I held a buttercup flower under your chin, declaring with the yellow glow of your skin, "You like butter." When you said, "Let me try," I knew we would be friends. You were another who wanted to see the colors for herself. ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 For Eugenia's prompt - Happiness Give yourself space to let go Give yourself time to listen inward Give yourself freedom to be Join me for my next writing circle. Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle
Friday, July 9, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT. Register here
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 