To Be Brave

To Be Brave

Round, loose, seven months after the funeral –

shells on the carpet, hands in movement – back and forth.

The zodiac’s thigh has nothing on me. Games played

are games lost to the heap of hell once made.

Robin Hood is at my doorstep, his laid-back courage

is now part of my scheme. Take no enemies.

Have no enemies. The end result is all smiles.

Thank you for telling me. I have to shed this defeat.

I have to pray and pray, and then again

I am so broken, and even that has to be embraced.

Faith is a gift to wear around my neck.

Come to me, be with me,

allow me to unlock the true syllables of

my calling.

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

Published in “The Neglected Ratio” December 2015

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http://theneglectedratio.com/2015/12/08/to-be-brave-by-allison-grayhurst/

http://theneglectedratio.com/our-writers/

Published in “Temporary Lunatic Literary Zine” October 2015

Temporary Lunatic Literary Zine 1

http://lunaticlitpage.blogspot.ca/2015/10/to-be-brave-poem-by-allison-grayhurst.html

You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

“Allison Grayhurst intertwines a potent spirituality throughout her work so that each poem is not simply a statement or observation, but a revelation that demands the reader’s personal involvement. Grayhurst’s poetic genius is profound and evident. Her voice is uniquely authentic, undeniable in its dignified vulnerability as it is in its significance,” Kyp Harness, singer/songwriter, author.

“Allison Grayhurst’s poems are like cathedrals witnessing and articulating in unflinching graphic detail the gritty angst and grief of life, while taking it to rare clarity, calm and comfort. Grayhurst’s work is haunting, majestic and cleansing, often leaving one breathless in the wake of its intelligence, hope, faith and love amidst the muck of life. Many of Allison Grayhurst’s poems are simply masterpieces. Grayhurst’s poetry is a lighthouse of intelligent honour… indeed, intelligence rips through her work like white water,” Taylor Jane Green, Registered Spiritual Psychotherapist and author.

Reviews of ‘Pushing Through the Jelly Fire’:

“This, (Pushing Through the Jelly Fire) is my second favorite book of poetry by Allison Grayhurst. I have it in paperback. I read a lot of poetry across a lot of blogs but Grayhurst’s work stands above the crowd and is of tremendous quality. I highly recommend this and The River is Blind. Her quality of writing is of a high standard and never ceases to lift my spirits as I turn pages in paperback or kindle,” Bruce Ruston, poet, photographer, founding editor of The Poetry Jar.

“Another Grayhurst masterpiece, Allison’s work has inspired me to continue creating and reading poetry,” Ann Johnson-Murphree, poet.