Allies by Jan Betts (Signed March 10 2022 – acrylic on canvas)
Allies of the Night
(For Jan)
Beyond the jamble and the jumble of 9 to 5
past the freeways, the fast food, the furthest out
you’ve ever been…
Beyond the rest-stops, the repeating double yellow lines,
the markers on the highway,
the pullovers, the gravel shoulders,
grabbing your hoodie from the backseat…
Where did you think you were going?
This place can not be reached by car, or plane
or oxcart, on foot or mule train…
You saw it once in your lifetime,
but once was not enough…
and now, it no longer exists.
You saw it when there was no electricity,
just the night sounds of your mind,
drawn like a moth to flame;
your eyes followed these unearthly lights
as they made their way,
from branch to branch and tree to tree.
Your face lighting and paling
between awe and disbelieving
mystical whisperings blowing in your ears..
Those lights knew … so much more
than you could ever find words for.
They told you, the big secret..
so impossible to repeat but so clearly true.
A musky perfume of ozone and decomposing leaves,
in the almost woods in an almost time, they were everywhere.
The lights danced in aerial grace and impossibility
they played with you..teasing…telling you things
you were not built to comprehend…
beyond the limits of your sanity, beyond your imagination
far past your brain’s wiring,
past the rest-stops and the highway markers..
beyond all borders and one country after another.
In a forest of a small girl’s dream world,
not scared just more alive,
you sat in a thatched roof room and said…
as they floated by,
“I don’t have the words”and you cried.
You cried in joy and promises that
sometime and someday far far away..
you would capture their likeness
on your canvas with your gift and your paints
these allies of the night,
that surrounded and caressed you
and then… way before the dawn…
Gone.
Karima Hoisan
March 11, 2022
Costa Rica
Footnote: Jan Betts is one of my dearest friends,,More of her amazing art
Can be seen here on her website: http://www.janbettsart.com/
Digital Rabbit Hole 
Your poetry is really stunning, Karima! Congratulations!
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Thank you so much Virginia for stopping by and for leaving this comment that inspires and motivates..🙏
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This section in particular is such a delight for me to read, Karima ❤ ~ although, really, the whole poem is fantastically evocative.
Shabbat shalom,
David
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Thank you so much David…your beautiful comment put an extra shine on my day.. This is a true story..one of those things that happens when you live remotely in the middle of nowhere and as I talked about in my poem, Wide-eyed and Innocent, see some odd things.. This happened to the Artist and she told me long ago about it..although so many years, later, her muse beckoned her to paint it as words always failed her when she tried to describe it.. She said it was almost like an “alien visit” nothing less than otherworldly, and when I saw this painting finished yesterday…I knew I needed to write this poem:):)
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Shabbat shalom David.. Jummah Mubarak!
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Ohhh lovely. And the perfect words for Jan ‘s evocative piece. I hope whoever is traveling out beyond the highway signs today, finds at least a trace of what’s out there!
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Thanks so much Dale and as far as your last line goes.. I think you might have to have a special destiny and some amazing good luck!!
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The artwork is stunning, as is the prose you’ve crafted around it, dear Karima. These types of awakening experiences can be very overwhelming, and I think that having an outlet like writing, painting, etc, is so important to fully expressing that which is incomprehensible. Feeling this one deeply. 🌹❤️🙏✨🌺
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Thank you so much Jeff, and yes, Jan’s painting is really amazing…so much depth..I can wander deep inside those magical woods:) I agree that an epiphany is beyond our word capacity to express and Jan has the great gift of expression through her art.. So glad you felt it deeply dear friend🤗❤️🌹🙏
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You’re welcome, Karima. Always. It’s definitely a magical and amazing painting. I would like to wander there too. I checked out Jan’s site. All is beautiful. Happy weekend, my dear friend. 🙏❤️🌹🤗
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Breathtaking art by Jan Betts…unfortunately, I am not able to see the website…it gives me an error message (error 1020 – access denied)…
Karima, you’ve written a beautiful poem…you’ve created bright, colourful & beautiful imagery…and I love the free flow…”This place can not be reached by car, or plane or oxcart, on foot or mule train…”…amazing ending of this poem…I was gone for a moment after reading this piece…I bet Betts is deeply touched…keep expressing & shining 💫
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Thank you so much dear Navin and that is so odd that you can’t see her website. Others have told me they have gotten in fine..I can get in also…I have told her about this and she has contacted her administrator…I was reading online that this error sometimes happens if the website mis-identifies you as a potential threat. Thank you too for enjoying my poem, this piece inspired..I can lose myself in the depths of Jan’s art and this is no exception..As soon as I saw it finished…I knew I had to write something:) You keep shining too my friend..love seeing your brilliance.
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Hmm…interesting abt being misidentified as a potential threat…no worries, I’ll check it once the issue is fixed…
You’re welcome, Karima…I enjoyed the poem…have a wonderful day 💫
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Beautiful lines poem with a story thanks for sharing 😊👍👍
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Thank you so much Priti…I am so glad you enjoyed reading it:) 🙏
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It’s my pleasure 👍👌
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This is a gorgeous poem hon. It takes my breath away.
xoxo
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Thank you dearest Gabriela…so happy you stumbled upon this one:) Jan has been a friend all my life and her art always speaks to me:) Big hugs and much love🤗❤️
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🌺🌸🌹🌺
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Jan’s artwork is as amazing as your heartfelt words about her. I appreciate your touching imagery with smooth flow of thoughts. It’s always a pleasure to read your work, Karima! All the best for your future endeavours 💐💖🙏
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Just catching up on this beautiful comment you made Kaushal back in March…I found it in pending…so sorry..Thank you so much for your sincere comments././.always
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Never mind, Karima! You’re welcome always 😊💖
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Absolutely beautiful, Karima! Your poetry is always woven with so much substance and threads from your inner self. I look forward to whatever you create.
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Oops Dawn…I missed your comment and I LOVE it! Thank you for your beautiful compliment and I too love reading your latest..you are so talented❤️
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Beautiful Miss Karima! Your way with the written word is unparalleled! Jan must live this!
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Thank you Ruco…Check your email and call me:)
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wow Karmina your imagery and painting is soooo gorgeous and hits to the heart my friend! 💖💖🌻
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Awww thank you so much Cindy!! The painting by Jan is really amazing…and I just tried to tell the story behind it…that I have heard since I was young! So glad you enjoyed it my friend!
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You’re so welcome and it really was…. loved it. both your story and painting! 💖💖👏
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You truly have the gift of words, Karima. However, what I love the most about your poems is that you shape them so well. It’s like words have a place just like notes in a Piano recital and that’s why the whole effect exudes harmony!
The painting by Jan is absolutely enchanting and your poem tenderly woven around it with vivid, colourful words, so astounding!
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Oh my…*slows her heart from racing…Wow…thank you for this comment! I truly love what you said about “words have a place just like notes in a Piano recital ” that blew my mind..because (and yes I play piano too) when one is lost in a piece, it is the same feeling when one is lost in the flow of words,,,almost like automatic writing..or in the case of the piano..auto-pilot playing..if one stops for a second to think about it..boom, a wrong note or in writing..the temporary (hopefully) end of the flow. I love your deep introspection and to think my poem brought out this thinking in you..is a joy for me:)
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Thrilled to read this! :):)
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Totally relate to the auto-pilot mode you’ve mentioned. It’s a trance, a meditation.
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Oh yes and we are lucky if we learn how to put ourselves in that trance…it’s where pure creativity flows from…like sticking a straw in a flowing source and drinking and drinking… Magical!!
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Why do you think it is we are so wired like this my dear Karima? The painting is magical and the light you so beautifully describe is completely beautiful. It came for us when we were young, it played with us and we could lose ourselves in the magic of the lights. Our imaginations no longer active nor our minds like when we were little. We no longer saw an angel (for those that have) or the fireflies that danced for us in the night.
“Your face lighting and paling
between awe and disbelieving
mystical whisperings blowing in your ears..
Those lights knew … so much more
than you could ever find words for.
They told you, the big secret..
so impossible to repeat but so clearly true.”
These words so beautiful and true. You have captured the innocence that the night once held and that time through technology and over population and destruction of our planet has retreated. This is beautiful. Your friend’s work is gorgeous and your words a perfect fit. Sending you blessing, hugs and my love dear Karima. Joni
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Oh Joni…I am blown away by all your incredible comments..I am about to sleep but tomorrow..I will have so much fun replying to you.. Each and every one so special…and I cherish them all..This comment I will share with Jan..She will love it:) Talk to you tomorrow..nite nite😴
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There is no hurry I will be here dear Karima. Yes please do share with Jan. I am sending lots of love and hugs wrapped in silk and carried to you by thin threads the fairies will bring. Blessings to you my dear friend. Love you, Joni
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I did share your comment with her and she loved that you and your sister also knew these lights and other impossible to explain happenings..when you were young:) She really enjoyed your comment Joni 🤗❤️
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nice 👌
https://colorsinfusion.wordpress.com/
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