Poetry and Me

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Karima Hoisan

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Poetry and Me

I’m a poet.

It seems to me I’ve always been.

When kids my age were running after soccer balls,

I was nursing a dislocated knee…and writing poetry.

When other girls my age, in high school glided down the halls

I limped or tried to dissimulate and felt much less than all the rest.

But, by then I could write poetry.

I shared some with my closest friends and found they almost envied me.

Imagine that! Those graceful swans with well placed knees..actually envying me!!

After surgeries, and pins and casts, feeling more secure when I descended stairs

I felt my future bright and put away my notebooks full of verse, to finally ride a bike.

Now in later life, all those times, before I knew the damage I was doing

Putting on shows and amazing my peers by bending my elbows backwards

making all go “Wow!: when they saw me as their star contorting circus act,

twisting and turning my body like a pretzel, to their amazement and applause.

Now is when I pay the piper.. my once slippery joints, are locked and rusted, and it’s painful.

In this stage of my life..I picked up my poetry again, about 15 years ago..and never let it go.

I am pretty much immobile, need a cane, to traverse my home,

but for 15 years my poetry has been flowing and it is how I can still reach out.

I can touch others with my words, I keep an active blog, and feel a thrill when someone says to me,

“Thank you for that poem, you really touched and helped me” Am amazed to have readers from 87 countries!

Even if I no longer travel, I do and can through my poetry. I can’t tell you what that means to me.

In my limited condition, I still feel good about myself. I can still be an active part of humanity..

I can touch the world, connect with those who are so busy they barely slow down

and I can describe to them, the hidden beauty in the leaf of a red rose, or how the dusk descends,

or how the children’s laughter in the street, makes me realize, I’m truly lucky to have the life I lead.

The pain and limitations, for a moment are forgotten, and the satisfaction I feel when a poem’s done,

is the greatest feeling, as I send it off to those who have signed up to read my latest one.

The act of writing poetry, still seems like a miracle to me, something beyond my will, the muse, just

takes me and I forget my pain, and flow so freely; every word I scoop from the river is mine

and yet it belongs to everyone.

How does one begin to write it? How do I? I’m happy to share the secret, the magic formula:

You don’t need an idea to create…ideas come…all you need to do is start.

Pen on paper, fingers on the keys… let the stanzas stream right through you.

Be the scribe, get out of your body, for just a moment and write your poetry.

Karima Hoisan
March 4th 2021
Costa Rica

*Footnote I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobile (HEDS) and have been asked to talk about how creativity helps those who live with chronic limiting conditions.
I was asked to write about poetry, one of several creative areas I work in.

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51 Responses to Poetry and Me

  1. daleinnis says:
    March 5, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    Very poignant! Thank you for another insight into where your creativity comes from, and how it works. This is lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      March 5, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you Dale, who knows me well…Yes ironically this request came yesterday after I had written that other poem, touching on my EDS….But It’s Fine.. This is part of DB Bailey’s(David Denton Architect) project that will be tied to the Knoxville museum project on Virtuality and Creativity. I must have channeled his request a few days early..and now…I am totally out and proud.:) You just never know…..:)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Ryan DeJonghe says:
    March 5, 2021 at 2:15 pm

    Excellent! 👏👏

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. santiagogaliciarojonserrallonga says:
    March 5, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    Y sí, en verdad eres artista, una poeta sensible, Karima. Uno, al leerte, de inmediato identifica tu profundidad y tus rasgos de poeta. La vida parece más bellas y maravillosa con las letras de los poetas, y tú lo eres. Te felicito. Gracias por compartirnos alto tan significativo de tu existencia.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Karima Hoisan says:
    March 5, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Un abrazo grande y sincero Santiago…tus palabras me motivan y me llenan de felicidád! Gracias de nuevo!

    Like

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  5. Jeff Flesch says:
    March 5, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    Oh, dear, Karima, this is so beautiful. I adore the entire piece, and especially love those last few lines. A wonder, my friend. 💕🙏😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      March 6, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      Thank you Jeff…it felt good to tell my story:) I have been reticent about talking about my health, but I feel it’s time, especially for such an important project, that could possibly help many to see the benefits of creativity in their lives that are limited by pain and illness. Big hugs and thank you always for your support and kindness.🤗❤️🙏🌹🌟🌺✨🌸

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Jeff Flesch says:
        March 6, 2021 at 7:46 pm

        I am so glad to know that it felt good, Karima. Mmm. Understood. I am also glad that it’s time, and do think your inspiring story will touch many as it already is, and I’m sure has been. Big hug and love right back to you, my dear friend. 🤗❤️🙏💕🌺

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Diana says:
    March 6, 2021 at 2:15 am

    Karima, I am blessed to know you. I really am. I loved this piece. It has touched and inspired me in more ways than one. You are a star, more brighter than the one my naked eye can see through my window at night. I cannot be more proud of you right now. I will only say please continue your magical poetry and know that you have touched lives across this Earth for sure! Stay blessed Habibti and be safe. ❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗🌹🌹💐💐🌺😘

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      March 6, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      Awww habeebiti..your beautiful words went straight to my heart and energized and touched me deeply. As I said, I have not talked about my health, and all of a sudden I am:) It was a little scary for me, as I never want to be defined or described as that “that sick one” but I feel the confidence in this community, to talk about it. People like you, dear soul, are one of the reasons I can:) Thank you for these uplifting words..you make me believe, that my poetry has not been in vane, but at times could touch you..and others.. Big hugs Diana….and may you be always blessed too. 🤗❤️🙏🌟🌸💐🤗❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Hoyt says:
    March 6, 2021 at 7:30 am

    This is wonderful Miss Karima. From the song, Stuff That Works…
    ”There’s a woman I love who’s crazy and she writes like God.
    She’s got a playground sense of justice and she won’t take odds.”
    You’re words have been a gift and touch so many! This is what you were meant to do and you are doing it! Very few can say that!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      March 6, 2021 at 2:49 pm

      Thank you my dear friend,,,I did forget to mention the swimming..which keeps me moving, sleek as a shark, but the idea of DB’s project is for us, who have been limited in our lives, by illness or circumstance, can find that being creative in anything you want to try, collages, poetry, painting, music, cooking, has been proven to bring back feelings of self worth and accomplishment, to people who feel. they have lost it! It’s a wonderful project andI am honored to be a small part of it. Oh and how i love those lines!! You know me:):)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. ben Alexander says:
    March 6, 2021 at 12:07 pm

    You touch me and move me with every poem, Karima. I feel blessed to have met you, and I agree with your sentiments about poetry as you’ve described them.

    -David

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. Sundaram Chauhan says:
    March 6, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    You are as far reaching as wind Karima. You speak the language I understand, and I’m thankful for that. Because, though, I read books, so many of them, even the bestsellers, and universally admired ones speak nothing to me, and I wonder whether it’s me, or the book. But then one or two come my way that pull me back to reading, and keep me at it. I dig in to find more gold, to search more treasures. And your poems are that to me. For the simple reason that I understand them. God bless you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      March 6, 2021 at 8:00 pm

      Sundaram, my soul-friend who reads my words and understands them!! Can you possibly know how this makes me feel.?..to stretch all the way to India and through my poetry find someone as special as you…honest, sensitive, no holds barred and no words spared at times, and find myself..my poems not only accepted but cherished as something real and worthwhile, floating in a sea of tepid morsels, that do not tempt you to read them again…and yet, you pick me out..and you read me every time…Wow! I am giddily blown way by your comment! 🙏🤗❤️ Thank you dear Sundaram!

      Liked by 2 people

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      • Sundaram Chauhan says:
        March 7, 2021 at 6:23 am

        All my pleasure, Karima… and the very fact that despite the physical distance between the screen you post your words on, and my own, we could connect and appreciate each other makes it a poem in itself. And I think that a reader always likes to read what he already knows and believes in deep down. Will always have my best wishes you, Karima… whether tomorrow I stay on WP or not. :))

        Like

  11. rimasflotantes says:
    March 8, 2021 at 1:23 am

    👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  13. cheriewhite says:
    March 9, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    Such a beautiful piece! It definitely reminds me of when I was in school. Many looked down on me, but I had something to compensate with- my writings and my music and many of them envied that. Compensation is not a bad thing- like most people would have you believe. To me, it’s a normal part of life that adds balance to your life. Human beings need something to help balance the good and the bad. I hope this makes sense. Thank you for posting.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Raheela duggal says:
    March 10, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    Well said….so inspiring…..!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Karima Hoisan says:
    March 10, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    Lovely to make your aquaintance…I hope to visit your blog tomorrow…and know more about you:) Thank you!

    Like

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  17. sercan455 says:
    March 15, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    Que decir, con todo lo que ya han expresado. Exquisita descripción de lo que te toca vivir. Te a llevado a agudizar el sentido de la observación para llegar a apreciar hasta las cosas mas ínfimas. Fuerte abrazo y nos seguimos leyendo.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      March 15, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      Un abrazote y mil gracias por tu comentario sobre mi poema. Nunca habla de esto, algo tan personal..pero lo hice para ayudar a lo demas, con problemas o limitaciones similares.. Para mí,el acto de escribir un poema, es suficiente para que yo me sienta felíz en este momento..hasta horas después! Qué importante es crear algo…contruir de solo un idea, algo artistico y bello! Nos seguimes leyendo, inshallah!

      Like

      Reply
  18. welcomeazt says:
    April 28, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    You are writing a prose poem – a mongrel form – that is neither poetry or prose – but which can be very effective – if carefully worded.

    Like

    Reply
  19. The Wheelchair Teen says:
    June 22, 2021 at 5:35 am

    You were right – I could definitely relate to this beautiful poem. While my other classmates hang out at the gym or spend time with each other at the cafeteria upstairs, I spend most of my time at school reading and writing poetry. I honestly don’t think that I would’ve been able to survive school without my poetry – it was my saving grace. I agree, it’s incredible how one can travel and go places through writing. Literature is like a portal to endless far off lands and allows one to live endless lives beyond imagination. I’m so happy to hear how your poetry has helped you too ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Karima Hoisan says:
      June 22, 2021 at 11:05 am

      Thank you Simone, I hoped you would enjoy it and yes in both our cases, writing and poetry have played such important parts in our lives. Reading and writing transport us..For a moment, we can run, feel the wind in our ears or fly and soar and dive. I think people who live with mobility issues,do learn to sharpen their imaginative powers and poetry or any kind of writing is a wonderful outlet for our imaginations…our inner thoughts. You are very inspiring..I am so happy to have met you via WordPress.I know you are and will continue inspiring people from all over the world. Isn’t that cool?

      Liked by 1 person

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  20. literaryscribe says:
    April 13, 2022 at 11:52 am

    You are an inspiration for all of us, as is your beautiful poetry.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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