Poems from the Circle

November 17, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 16 Comments

On and On We Go
On and on we go
 every second, a commitment
 every breathe, a moment
 every moment, a feeling
 every feeling has a heartbeat
 and the beat goes on and on
 a soft beat to every step, to and froe
 and step by step the moments go
 a quest for answers never stops
 until our eternal sun drops

By Ivor Steven 
You can find more of Ivor's wonderful poems 
here, on his blog.

I am grateful for Ivor’s permission to share his 
poem from the writing circle. I continue to 
meet amazing people across different time zones. 
Writing together provides a mirror for us to process 
life in a safe place.
Interested in joining a writing circle?  
Join me this Sunday, click here to register
or Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Lens-Artists Challenge #123 – Found in the Neighborhood - I like this photo challenge of finding joy close by. The photo above was taken recently on a walk in Portland, Oregon.

As the World Burns Anthology – Indie Blu(e) Publishing

November 14, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 19 Comments

It is an honor to have poems included alongside many wonderful poets in the new anthology, As the World Burns: Writers and Artists Reflect on a World Gone Mad, available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions.

Many thanks to the editors, Kindra M. Austin, Candice Louisa Daquin, Rachel Finch, and Christine E. Ray for putting this book together.

“We speak with many voices, to the damage wrought in these violent, fevered months. Let us never forget or turn away, from what is just, what is necessary, to keep light alive in this world.”

Check out more from Indie Blu(e) here.

Let’s Carry the Load

November 12, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 39 Comments

In the fog of conflict blinded numbness
we look to the leaders to steer,
peel back disagreement from the windshield.

We wait with held breath for a directive to follow
while voices clash, a radio screech between stations
unwilling to tune in to clarity.

We hope for a brilliant leader to put on a pedestal
of responsibility, like the GPS we depend on to find our way
the one who will hold the key to making it all go away.

Let's reach into our own pockets.

What if the driver we seek is us?

Not singular
but each, all
together.

The many 
unified. 

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

Let’s give thanks for poll workers, 
Stacey Abrams, fact-checkers — 
and the weather Thank you to every 
single person who helped to provide 
others with the opportunity to vote in 
our recent election. Together we can, 
yes we can, keep democracy alive. 
Thank you Joe Biden.

dVerse Open Link Night 
- Join in the reading and sharing of poetry 
with a welcoming community.

Sunday Writing Circle

November 10, 2020November 14, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

The world needs the unique light that only you can shine. Keep your light on through the renewal of shared writing. Writing together can surprise us with new insights, guide our own journey and build resilience.

Explore writing as a tool for self-reflection.
Slow down with yourself in a space of self-care.
Be inspired by the words of others.

No writing experience required. Sharing of your writing is always optional.

There will be a maximum of 6 participants to provide a space of authentic connection.

Testimonials from my past writing circle participants:

“Thank you for your loving energy, leading us to a place within ourselves that we either didn’t know was there or had been untapped for sometime. Your deep listening is a gift, and I feel held in it.” – Carrie

“I loved your focus on being intentional, hearing the voices of other women and your positive energy. You are a light and an inspiration.” – Diane

Click here for registration

My light is shining.

November 7, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 12 Comments

A big thank you to Susi Bocks for sharing my voice on, “The Short of It.” I invite you to visit her site, iwriteher.com, for a reading of my short poems including this one. Thank you to all the readers that keep poetry alive.

Thunderstorm Conversations

Lean into the loud
hold curiosity’s hand
consider this thundering
consider it may not mean what you thought.

This crack clashing boom 
only an illusion of danger.

Maybe it isn’t a disastrous end
but a calling of resounding strength
a breaking through from your ancestors
reverberating out across the sky,

“We are with you.”

Ali Grimshaw 2020

If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It, click here for the submissions guidelines.

Transition – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 ~ 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

Sandals in November – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

October 29, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 37 Comments

They called her crazy
an attempt to freeze 
her with jeers,
never understanding
that she chose to avoid 
too much comfort.

Empathy 
would always be 
her closest friend.
Arm in arm, they would
walk in sandals 
through November frost.

Warmed only by desire
for connection.

A step toward those
who had no shoes.

© Ali Grimshaw 2020

dVerse – Open Link Night

Writing Circles Nourish Us

October 23, 2020October 23, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 11 Comments

Willing Hearts

Separated
by time
and space
Yet, 
physical distance
holds no power
over hearts
willing to listen
and reflect-
Not actually separated 
after all

By Kelley Morris
You can find more of her poems here
pianogirlthoughts

I have never met Kelley in person but I feel
connected to her. We were once strangers
living in separate states, then she joined a
writing circle. I listen to her words and I
came to know her. Coming together, with
women like Kelley, across physical distance
to cherish poems and write together is
generating hope. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space for you to hear your
own voice and experience authentic connect
with others through writing together. I have
written with people from Europe, Canada and
all over the U.S, and every time we are
inspired by the circle.

Thank you Kelley for sharing your voice.

Curious about giving it a try? Sign up below.

When Comes The Night

October 20, 2020October 28, 2020 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 25 Comments

after the sordid day
rain recalls the language of music

and I go, leaving frenzied voices behind
to bed beneath magnetic star spray

to see above the thousands
while I hear the lake moon moan

when can I live life
as ripe peach sky?

© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Quadrille - Poetical Magnetism

I have never liked crossword puzzles but I got a kick out of this magnetic poetry site. What a fun way to play with word use.
Check it out here. magnetic poetry

One breath – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

October 15, 2020October 2, 2022 ~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

I want to launch into the air a thousand words of love. Handwritten and in every font, (even the unpopular ones) lines and curves that will rise and carry us forward upon touch, and to accompany these words, send the sounds that bring us alive, like birdsong, a child’s laugh or footsteps echoing toward home. Release them as a million messages to freely be carried by the breezes that reach us all, to land on building tops and crosswalks, to fall in the teacups of the grieving, in the tangled hair of skipping children, to settle on weary parkbench sleepers, cling to the yet delivered news traveling with the sunlight to the next continent, let the words land on the bare hands of the parched and weary like raindrops on the skin of those that need it most.

I pause here to take a breath and now realize you are still listening. How generous of you.

What do you want to launch into today?

I’m listening.