Anti-freeze Preparation – Poem by Ali Grimshaw


Ms. Sunset is visiting earlier
Mr. Freeze is on his way

Who, how, and what
will get you through
nightchill of dark dampness?

His voice warming?
Her listening light from miles away?

Spotify playlists, kitchen dances
singing in candlelight?

What'll it be?

Suggestions welcomed.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

If you have experienced SAD then you know if can be very impactful. If you haven't yet made a plan to support yourself through the dark months then there is no better time than today. Don't hesitate to reach out for support along the way. You are not alone.

It’s Quadrille Monday at dVerse Poets' Pub.
Come join the fun HERE.

Navigating Us – Poem by Ali Grimshaw


Before I walk away,
returning to a new season of my life,
let’s rewind this journey
for one last view. 
Our thrills, near misses,
and countless conversations melted together,
weaving me into the true color I have become.
Wherever I am
is your home
to come back to.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Photo taken in a small town in Colorado. Humans create amazing spaces.

Cross My Fingers – Poem by Ali Grimshaw



To see, feel, hold, wake
determination cycles, knowing mistakes

enduring without audience
multi-stepped blossomed awareness
winging it

drenched ducks in a row
elation evaporation
mind marathons

love injects herself into the race

- all this comes after
promising

if your words are
tattooed as you

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join a welcoming community of poets
for today's prompt - promise. HERE.

Make Your Mark – Poem by Ali Grimshaw


A red geranium
purposefully glowing
among the fallen leaves
lusciously living among the crisp.

It will not
be denied its time of bloom
long past summer's farewell.

I want to be a mark of love on this world
just like that.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

This week I am challenging myself to grow by speaking with people I don't know with the hope that I will make a heart connection. The world needs each of us to show up. Whatever you have got to give, don't doubt the value of giving it.

Keep shining your light.
Ali

Lingering Light – Poem by Ali Grimshaw


Let's linger
in Autumn glow
befriending dusk on its way

to cloak us with comfort
ease our worries loose
to fall.

Pausing here
we become one with this
seasonal scene of hush

before continuing our saunter
harvesting what matters most
from this day.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Rebalancing – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

“Noticing you’ve lost your balance is part of finding it again. Recognizing (and normalizing) imbalance is part of rebalancing.” – Lea Seigen Shinraku

Check out Lea’s free Love Yourself Now With Art Journaling Workshop on October 6 HERE.

Rebalancing

when she noticed her tilt
an unequal stance leaning toward tumble

she was lucky enough to remember
and send herself love to reorient,
instead of judgement

when the rainstorm arrived
she welcomed it without resistance
befriending her tipping vessel

rebalancing was just part of living
she could find her way drenched,
as well as, dry

I have found writing with others to be a beautiful way to rebalance. Join me for an upcoming circle of poems, writing, and reflective listening. Email to register at  coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Upcoming Writing Circles:

Saturday, October 12, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT $20 

Saturday, November 2, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT $20 

Saturday, December 7, 9:30 – 11:00 am PDT $20 

Equinox – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

During this one day of balanced light, I feel a lack of evenness. I’m ok with this. Acceptance has befriended me. I used to believe in a balanced lifestyle. I pushed and pulled my daily life to create this ideal. Now I am no longer focused on this achievement. Instead, I am chasing aliveness like a kite must feel the wind. I wish for floating and exhilaration to be part of my journey but I don’t expect it always. I am no longer keeping score of ups and downs and the need for them to equal out weekly. I am taking it as it comes with the hopeful intention of keeping my noticing alive. My noticing of a leaf color like a work of art. My noticing the clouds visiting the sky. My noticing of the tender light of dusk turning even the harsh landscapes golden. Tomorrow will hold a little more darkness yet some nights there will be stars.

tilt neither toward, nor away

acceptance lights us

tonight darkness leans closer

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join us at dVerse for a celebration of Haibun Monday: Equinox. HERE

Let there be no doubt – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

“Take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away, but
do not take from me your laughter.” – Pablo Neruda


Like rain on wildfire
I am quenched by your voice.

I hadn't realized my shrunkenness
my dehydrated heart in wait.

Your laugh rippled across the crowd.
I could feel your presence of lightness in its cadence.

It is all the more precious to hear
knowing that life isn't easy for you.

Your laughter is like a defiant call
of the joy riding alongside the grief.

I feel it in my dancing bones
as I twirl toward your part of the floor.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

This poem is dedicated to my friend, Valerie. Her laugh is steadfast and generous. It always makes my heart smile. Whose laugh lights up your day? I hope you will let them know.

Join a welcoming group of poets at dVerse Poets' Pub for this poetics challenge. You can visit HERE.

Life is short,
love big.

Ali




Before We Grew – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

"Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is about." - John Mayer


blue bicycle with banana seat
pedaling freedom
handlebar tassels in the wind

berry-stained fingerprints
juice of summer gods
anointed by sunshine days

of tree limb lounging
bushwacking our trails
until the dinner-bell

dirt-clod fights
"you're on our team"
where the good guys
always win

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Photo of Wakeena Falls, Oregon. It is one of my favorite places to hike to in the summer.

Visit a friendly poetry community at dVerse Poets’ Pub for Quadrille Monday. Join the fun HERE.

Observing – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

And the rhythm continues, yellow round, orange round, red
tiny parts of bright aliveness making up the whole.
Are the boundaries holding us together or separating us by hue?

Each is playing a part in the view.
One beside the other,
next two, in front of, beside. Are we leaning unequally
or holding each other up?

How far would we need to back up
before seeing the whole picture? Remember up close
never looks the same as from across the room.

Squint your eyes a little. Now look again.

Notice how the colors grow toward midnight as it meets in the center.
Could this be a reminder to see darkness as a place to rest
maybe even a place of beauty
instead of fighting our way to where we think we belong?

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

You are invited to dVerse Poets’ Pub to write something beautiful in response to this artwork by Alma Thomas, The Eclipse (1970). Join in the fun HERE. Thank you, Melissa, for getting me writing today. It felt like releasing a big sigh and the air returned to fill my lungs without effort.