Poetry

Thoughts Swirling? Let’s write together

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 24 Comments
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Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

Lately I have been writing with people from all over the U.S. and beyond. It is always a source of joy and inspiration to hear what others share when they put words down on a page. We are unique and also the same. Writing together has been a habitual part of my life for many years. During this time, I have noticed the fulfilling conversations and reflections that bloom from shared writing spaces. I invite you to explore this for yourself. This isn’t about trying to create the perfect poem. It is about connecting as human beings.

Poetry Over Panic: Writing Circle for Positive Self Reflection – April 17

Writing to Restore Ourselves: Poetry & Reflection Circle – April 23

One of the delights of writing in a group is hearing what others share. This piece was written during one of our recent gatherings. I appreciate Louise letting me share it here.

This Thread is not like a river.
By Louise Gallagher

Unlike the river this thread has the power to flow backwards. I can follow its course deep into the stories
I tell of how I got here.
Unlike the river, this thread is not bound by its banks. It can overflow, threading off into territories long
forgotten in time’s passing.
This thread runs free. It is constantly unravelling time forwards and backwards. Casing through time and
place into the here and now where all I need to find myself is this thread which I can never let go of for
this thread tells the story of my life woven through the exquisite tapestry of my world shimmering in the
exquisite poetry of the love story that is my life.

You can find Louise’s blog filled with heartfelt writing and artwork here – dareboldly.com

This is the time to boldly take time to care of yourself.

May love land on you today.

Ali

 

Let Go

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 36 Comments

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“I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.”  – Barbara Brown Taylor

When the lights went out, she welcomed the dark

warm on her skin like an old friend

as nourishment for her sadness

leaves rustled a serenade to slow her pulse

the refrigerator hummed along

a reminder of the ordinary evenings

breath slowed, the world kept turning and she let go.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

dVerse – Perfect Seven Lines

 

 

Entryway

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 28 Comments

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And though it may seem
like never opening your eyes
will protect you.

Grief’s gentle hand
closing your eyes
to sleep the days away.

If you don’t awaken
there is no way for the love
to get in.

Put your OPEN sign back up.

© Alicia Grimshaw 2020

dVerse Quadrille #101

“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief — But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.”

– Hilary Stanton Zunin

Poetry Over Panic: Online Women’s Writing Group

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

“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

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 38 Comments

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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

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 27 Comments

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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.

dVerse Open Link Night 

World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Healthy Parenting

Poetry Over Panic Online Writing Group

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 17 Comments

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“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

~ 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.

Caremongering – poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 58 Comments

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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 By Tom Gerken

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