Swimming upstream
feeling the pull
of this current
day of decisions
to be made.
Kicking away
troubled tributaries
“You will regret this.” They say.
Where is my ladder through?
(even fish get one of those)
I guess God must think
me an excellent swimmer.
©Ali Grimshaw 2021
Come join us for Quadrille Monday at dVerse HERE
up to me fitting in is not required. it’s not even necessary. how could any of us fit a mold that is not ours? who made the mold anyway? why did I never question this generational imperative to be someone or something I was not ever intended to be – or become? I question it now. I release it now – today. I free myself to be… me. all that I am, and all I can be is up to me. By Carrie Cannady April 2021 You can find more of Carrie's poems and reflective wisdom here at Leadourlives.net
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. Tickets are by donation.
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 7, 10:00 am PDT. Register here
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 21, 8:30 am PDT. Register here
There are moments when what someone else has inked onto the page stops time for you when another's words absorb through your skin settling deep in your belly like a surprising crumb of nourishment you didn't know you needed. A small taste of harmony, blooming on your tongue. It opens a realizing that wasn't there before a long lasting hunger, you nibble through a second read then a third, taking your time to swallow it all. Remembering a desire for flavors that had been forgotten how good a poem could taste. ©Ali Grimshaw 2021 My poem is a response of gratitude for a poem I read today called Ice Cube on School of Blue Read the poem HERE. Thank you, Rick Frame, for the nourishment. My photo was taken near Amsterdam. A lovely, crisp morning of reflection where the sky and the water gave back to each other. LAPC #138 – Natural Light
Poetry is truth in a universal language able to cross boundaries and reach the human heart. It is through our practice of listening deeply to poems, to ourselves and each other that the joy of connection is created within the writing circle. I am honored to hold space for your words and invite you to welcome them to the page. Let's get lost together as we write and reflect. Join me for an upcoming writing circle. Fill your heart. Let's get lost in beauty of the waves. Put the needle on the record of this day, live simply so others may simply live to delight in all good things wild and free. © Ali Grimshaw 2021
Willing Hearts Separated by time and space Yet, physical distance holds no power over hearts willing to listen and reflect- Not actually separated after all By Kelley Morris You can find more of her poems here pianogirlthoughts
I have never met Kelley in person but I feel
connected to her. We were once strangers
living in separate states, then she joined a
writing circle. I listen to her words and I
came to know her. Coming together, with
women like Kelley, across physical distance
to cherish poems and write together is
generating hope. It is my heartwork to
facilitate a safe space for you to hear your
own voice and experience authentic connect
with others through writing together. I have
written with people from Europe, Canada and
all over the U.S, and every time we are
inspired by the circle.
Thank you Kelley for sharing your voice.
Curious about giving it a try? Sign up below.
sky I see the sky, the blue, the cloud; and at night, the stars, the moon, the planets. You see the sky, don’t you? the same sky…yes? Could it be, that although the miles, our experiences, separate us… we are still connected? We are the same. you are here and I am there, or I am here and you are there. The same sky…wherever we are. Carrie Cannady October 14, 2020 You can find more of Carrie's poems and reflective wisdom here at Leadourlives.net
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle here. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a safe place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Interested in joining a writing circle? Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com
I wrote across
and down the page
sometimes diagonal doodles
to break through lines
that I refused, not willing
to be penned in.
Editing bled and tore through
to pages underneath.
Grateful for a thick tablet
layers of mistakes on the way to golden
this party called life, waking up
to attend, embrace the tousled mess
tumbles, triumph, trembles of love
that live outside of words.
The minutes are not guaranteed
savor this very one.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Each year I celebrate getting to live another year by writing a birthday poem. I hope this inspires you to author your life. What story are you writing this year? These bloggers have inspired my next chapter; Debbie at Forgiving Connects , Colleen at The Chatter Blog, Val at Find Your Middle Ground, Miriam at Out an’ About, and Brad at Writing To Freedom
Here is the link to last year’s birthday poem 365 Pages.
May love touch your day.
Ali
Painted leaves sing in unison
Unlike music, their song
is soundless harmony.
This orchestra of color
soothes the tempo
an internal pounding
from a day of instruments
that refused to play
the same song.
Fall catches me
with muted volume
a serenade of equilibrium.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2018
If you brought poetry to your exhale
how would you breathe?
If you brought poetry to your cooking
how would it taste?
If you brought poetry to your singing
how would it sound?
If we brought poetry to the conversation
what would we hear?
Would we notice the moan of wind outside our arguments
that the water from the pipes is at a trickle, our absent neighbors
don’t stand in the front yard anymore, weeds thrive
overtaking the edible garden, while last year’s birdhouse
remains empty? A muffled fear
like cotton balls in our ears.
If I lived poetry
could I see the heart
underneath your skin?
© Alicia Grimshaw 2018
Sharing this great quote from Moorezart
if I could hand out
flying with clouds, beyond pain,
relief your eyes seek
© Alicia Grimshaw 2018
