Poetry

Shedding Shame

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

Despair for the moment to come

willing my body to enter the room

a mountain of mortification on my back

facing those faces

being seen while craving camouflage.

Owning the me that showed up today

failure and intention,

with a disappointing lack of action.

While seeking an empty seat I am

investigating the ability to shed my skin,

to start fresh. Becoming

a blank slate that holds

not a bit of old chalk dust.

© Ali Grimshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exiting The Maze

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

She could think about something else

a distraction from the pain

another new form of an old approach,

all temporary fixes,

that will return her to the same spot in the maze.

Unfortunately familiar torment.

Hands clenched to aching,

nails biting skin,

jaw clenched.

Her body’s defiance to the status quo.

Suffering unnoticed by a hurried world.

“Not this time.” She whispers. “This time

I will make my own exit.”

© Alicia Grimshaw 2016

 

Below 32 Degrees

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 6 Comments

The quiet between us

like floating icebergs

tongues frostbit into stillness

is it that we have forgotten what to say

misplaced our formula to speak,

a habitual slow retreat to safety?

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

I am uncertain how to start the

defrost cycle.

© Ali Grimshaw

 

 

Dirty Knees

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 9 Comments

image

When she fell

in her pain she was grateful,

to all those along the way who

patiently taught her how to rise to her feet.

showed her how to dust off,

heal the wounds,

start again.

After years of practice

she wasn’t afraid of falling anymore.

Dirty knees were honorable.

© Ali Grimshaw 2016

 

 

 

Replay

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 10 Comments

Before I walk away,

returning to a new season of my life,

let’s rewind this journey for one

last view. The thrills, near misses,

and countless conversations melted together,

making me the true color I have become.

Wherever I am

is your home

to come back to.

© Alicia Grimshaw