Poetry

A Beautiful Noticing – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 25 Comments

Precious is the quiet morning when I sit to breathe, just breathe. The highway hum in the distance, accompanied by a faint unknown rumble, and the caws of a bird, are heard in this stillness. How often does the environment around me go unnoticed as I am going about my day? The box of my mind has me doing and going. The senses of my body are left behind. Every time I stop, and return to my breath throughout the day, I return to a conscious noticing. It is then that I return to my body. My arms, my legs, my heart, and my mind are one again. There is a relief in just breathing.

When I first tried meditation is was unaccessible. Stillness did not feel safe. Letting go was scary. I lived in protection mode and this surrender to motionless living was a foreign land. Bit by bit I have found peaceful connection and I am grateful for all the guides who have helped me along the way. 

constricted muscles
seek winter sunlight, birds perch 
pause to exhale pain

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join me at dVerse Poets' Pub for
Haibun Monday 1-29-24: Breath

Photo taken during our most recent ice storm. It is a close up of the beautiful frost on my bathroom window.

and just when I think, “How much could it matter?” – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 23 Comments 


How many days can you claim bold aliveness
on an airstream of love 
where wordclouds hover to make shadows?

What sweet relief to witness the magesty of 
bloom on blue, a gathering of cells 
multiplying magnificent.

"I'll miss you," he said in a whisper. "How many ways 
can a mountian be climbed?"

Dipping skinny-style, screaming out in glee
we entered the river to revive.

Lavendar dusk of sky
arched islands like the backs of resting animals.

Oh, what can be unfolded inside my twisted heart
by sunlight on water if each person is a light
if we are billions of shades shifting into place.

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join in dVerse Poets' Pub OLN #354
Learn how HERE.

This poem was inspired by Laura's prompt - Last Year's First Eleven
I chose one poem from each month and used the first line to make
this new poem. All of these lines were from poems I posted in 2023. 
Writing this was like a word puzzle.

Have you opened your curtain today?

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 7 Comments 
Let there always be light
let light always be

shining to see you through
let light reach you

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

If you are like me, you have a lot to feel right now. This can be heartbreaking and sometimes even make you feel alone. I am offering these upcoming writing circles for you to pause and gather your words. It is the delight of my heart to hold space for you.


In these circles, we will be slowing down to listen for…

  • the gifts of this season 
  • poetry that inspires and opens doors
  • ourselves and others in the circle

Saturday, January 27, 9:30 – 11:00 am PST $20 (two spots left)

Saturday, February 10, 9:30 – 11:00 am PST $20

Sunday, February 18, 1:30 – 3:00 pm PST $20

Circles are limited to six people. Each is a stand-alone offering. You can sign up for one or all.  Your first session is free.

Please email me to sign up.

Photo taken in Coos Bay, Oregon 2024.

Overseeing Liberation – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 44 Comments 


he oversees the lagoon of 
discarded worries
an under-demanding position

here visitors arrive worried-stiff
wrapped in cloud confusion

while misty banks ease the release 
of hidden heartbreak underneath

their layers of anxious hopefulness 

as fears are flung into waters
with rippling relief

reflecting reprieve

© Ali Grimshaw 2024

Join a friendly group of poets at dVerse. Find directions for your Quadrille poem HERE.

Photo taken on a walk in Portland, Oregon. This kind face brought this poem to mind.

Togetherness is not a small word – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 26 Comments


and just when I think “How much could it matter?”
someone shows me

how my listening can be love
how my actions can be a bridge
how little I still understand about what is possible

and I shout out, THANK YOU
constellations of gratitude
and atmospheric appreciation
to each and every life that has touched mine

for each life I have yet to encounter

© Ali Grimshaw 2023


Dear readers,
Just when I think, why in the world am I writing, blogging, and sending out poems, someone reflects back that it matters to them. I started sharing my poems to honor a friend’s request. It was uncomfortable and sometimes scary. What moved me forward is my belief that if my words connect with one person in a way that they feel less alone, then it is worth it. It is still uncomfortable to share my words and maybe that is part of the process of being seen by others and knowing you don’t have control of any readers’ interpretation.

Over the years I have experienced writing myself forward. I will continue to hold writing circles to support others on this journey. Because of all who have read this blog, I have this amazing learning adventure. Thank you for reading and reflecting back your thoughts. Thank you for sharing yourselves openly. May we heal the world with our loving listening of each other.

Don’t ever give up.
Hands of love are reaching for you
even when you can’t see them.

Happy New Year,
Ali
P.S. The photo is of my father’s hand and the hand of my oldest son. It represents healing across the generations.


Nourishment – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 30 Comments

“Air and light heal; they somehow get into those dark, musty places, like spiritual antibiotics.” – Anne Lamott

the need for skin on skin
cool water on fevered temples
being seen for who you are

laughter around a full table 
help arriving on the horizon
restfulness where the body returns to the ground floor in full abandon

unexpected sunlight through winter windows
holding hands with hurting hearts
shelter of a single tree 

the surprise of a red flower

© Ali Grimshaw 2023
Photo taken in Ethiopia 2023.

Each One of Many – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 31 Comments

Hope is a muscle. It is a vigorous choice, to see what is wrong and what needs healing and needs repair and needs our attention and also to keep our hearts and our imaginations and our energy oriented towards what we want to build, what we want to create, what we’re walking towards. – Krista Tippett

if each person is a light
if we are billions of shades shifting into place

a musical kaleidoscopic view
of chromaticity
each piece a necessity of brilliant contrasts
an ever changing infinitely beautiful song

what splendor of possibilities
sparkles this world

if we chose ourselves 
as magnificent beings of change

hope in full color

© Ali Grimshaw 2023

Join me at dVerse Poets' for Open Link Night HERE.

Photo of stained glass skylight from Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain 2018. If you ever visit Barcelona don’t miss this space.

Flaming – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 21 Comments

“The fire of a heart that loves is a flame that will never be put out.” – Anita Brooks

first you need to finish the falling
let your pain bleed out all its colors
let each vein be filled 
let each edge receive the final flow

the leaves are showing you 
how beauty flames in seasons

will you see yourself
 
yourself yearning 

to fall free

you can't begin again until you have left 
the branch you cling to

© Ali Grimshaw 2023
Photo take in Portland, Oregon 

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge Flame.

Autumn Amble – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 18 Comments

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus

Let's linger in the Autumn glow
dusk is 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 2021

Photo take in Portland, Oregon 2020. 

Join me for an upcoming writing circle. I am honored to hold space for your words to appear on the page. Together we are finding our way forward. 

Saturday, November 18 at 9:30 - 11:00 am PST. $20

Monday, November 27 at 4:00 - 5:30 pm PST. $20

Email me to register at coaching@aligrimshaw.com

Elimination – Poem by Ali Grimshaw

~ Ali Grimshaw ~ 20 Comments 

He throws down an eight of clubs.
She counters with a merciless queen.

Loss then gain the stacks grow
bloodless conquering of another.

They aim to slay the other while gaming with destruction.
"I will kill you," she shouts with glee.

There are no real winners in this game of war
only silent members lost 
from a deck forever altered by the missing.

The unequal sides of reds and blacks. 
All of the kings have gone missing.

© Ali Grimshaw 2023

Photo taken in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I had an opportunity to reflect on 
the 1991 bombing of this town while visiting this past September. 

Written in response to the prompt, Poetics: Why war?
come join a friendly community of poets on dVerse Poets' Pub, HERE.