Poetry
Poetry Over Panic: Online Women’s Writing Group
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
As the world shifts, I am looking for ways to give and create supportive community. With all the emotions swirling, we are faced with finding healthy ways to process them. Poetry provides powerful prompts for reflective writing and group inquiry provides a doorway into our own thinking.
My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity.
Tickets are available now for my new four session series. This small group will be limited to 6 participants to enable us to dive deeper into writing and sharing with each other.
Poetry Over Panic:
Women’s Writing Circle (4 week series)
We are stronger when we lean on and learn from one another.
Join me as we continue forward into the unexpected.
Love,
Ali
Certainty – poem by Ali Grimshaw
After what seems like
cocooning within forever darkness
light breaks through.
Each bud tilts toward warmth
layers reveal themselves
open with ease of purpose.
Not because they were told
“It is time.”
facing the sun… their hearts knew.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Take the First Exit to the Right: A poem for Parents
As you drive down the road of your day
I see you in a large convertible with your top down,
backseat sandwiched full of children.
In front of you, several large cargo trucks with unsecured loads,
packed quickly without care. The disbelief of it all.
You are following without another lane to change into.
I see you, white knuckled, hold on the steering wheel
as odd boxes and papers, like a flock, fly
toward your windshield to temporarily block your view.
Colliding with objects occasionally airborne.
You swerving with the responsibility of sheltering
your children from harm. All while they chatter
and throw questions at you from the rear seat.
A sensory whirlwind of sounds, movement and colors to navigate
as you drive. I see you seeking the stable horizon with your eyes,
to recenter, as events drop and plans bounce away. Readjusting
in the moment, with care, cussing and sometimes crying. Facing
the cracked windshield of the past week. Hair in your eyes, yet determined
to be all you can for your young ones. Your eyes are heavy with sleep.
I just want you to know that I have an empty garage.
Take the next exit to the right.
Yes, I can, and will shelter you for the night.
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
Dedicated to all of the parents navigating during COVID19. Remember to pull over and take breaks.
World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Healthy Parenting
Poetry Over Panic Online Writing Group
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
As the world shifts, I am looking for ways to give. With all the emotions swirling, we are faced with finding healthy ways to process them. Reflective writing using poetry has met that need for me and others I have written with. This is why I have created some group writing circles to provide this for others.
My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity. It would be especially wonderful to write with others across the globe. If this calls you you please click the link for a free ticket.
Poetry Over Panic: Women’s Writing Circle for Positive Self Reflection
“Poetry provides guidance, revealing what you did not know you knew…” John Fox
We are stronger when we lean on and learn from one another.
Join me as we continue forward into the unexpected.
Love,
Ali
End of the Rope – Poem by Ali Grimshaw
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.
Caremongering – poem by Ali Grimshaw
house to house
neighbor to neighbor
kindness dissemination
this unstoppable virus of care
magical movement spread rampant
the isolated
blanketed with warmth
by open offers, action compassion
waves of encouragement through the window
one errand for survival at a time
an escalation of tenderness
© Ali Grimshaw 2020
dVerse Poets Pub – Quadrille “Magic”
Coronavirus: Kind Canadians start ‘caremongering’ trend
Because Now – poem by Ali Grimshaw
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
I’m Gonna Walk It With You
“Well it looks like it might be a hard road but I’m gonna walk it with you.
And you know that you might have a heavy load but I can carry some too.”
This song is carrying me forward. I am learning the words. I am singing out even when my voice doesn’t sound pretty. Music heals and keeps us breathing. Sing yourself through the day. Here is the Youtube video. “I’m Gonna Walk It With You” by Brian Claflin and Ellie Grace
All of us
together
while separate
singing softly, for life
as we walk this road
let’s share the load
come together, while apart
in love.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2020
Sending love to all those who are scared, worried, sheltering in place. Please let me know how you are doing. I am available to listen and write with you via skype, facetime or whatsapp. Together we will get through this.
Pep Talk – poem by Ali Grimshaw
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 