late
broken
incomplete
misunderstood
unable to prove
“If you would just try.”
disappointment in their eyes
defeated layers of books and papers
accustomed to going unnoticed
“Why can’t you be …?”
“Why didn’t you?”
just below the line
left far behind
deep sighs
“Again?”
shame.
© Ali Grimshaw
This poem is shaped like a bell curve to represent the people who have endured feelings of shame for not performing in a way that someone deemed as success.
In the unfinished
before the credits scroll past
can you choose acceptance
without an end,
before the conclusion
without approval from the crowd?
Between the ribs, within
deeply, a voice
the one you used to hear
before you thought the others
were the ones that mattered.
Knew better and overruled your soul.
Before you decided
who you weren’t going to be.
The sky
it is never not there
will not leave a note goodbye
to disappear in the night.
Serenely blue, growl of gray
watercolored clouds a tumble
dependably ever-changing, yet
never forsaking.
When the curtain goes up at sunrise
a steadfast performance
worthy of an audience.
Don’t miss the show.
No tickets necessary.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
#Loveuary Challenge – Celebrating today with a love poem for the sky.
The breeze picked up
your words were carried away
by the gusts. My heart on the beach alone
as we continued to walk, I remained
jealous of the wind
holding your words so close.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
I will walk beside you. Fill your cracks
with care. Speak your strengths, over
and over until they are glue. Help you
see all truly beautiful things were once
broken. I will love you with abandon
pour a hot cup of tea. Search for your
missing shards. Pluck out sharp words
used for self-inflicted pain. Chant, cheer,
and call your name. I will run ahead
to look for danger and get behind to push.
But please know you have the final piece
to set in place. I can’t make you whole again.
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
Photo thanks to PIXABAY
© Ali Grimshaw 2017
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 