
Ramadan Impressions 2007
The naked eye sees new moon over the horizon peek,
Mouth -to -mouth the news is spread around the world.
Ears on buzzing phone lines, whole networks going down;
Millions jumping in their cars to buy last minute treats.
Dates and cookies;
Nuts and seeds,
Fruit and tea..
don’t forget the dried apricot drink
Or sweet coffee.
Keep our bottled water at bedside,
Before dawn take our last drink.
Offer this time to cleansing our soul,
For healing the world
while fasting one month,
We should think of those who starve all year.
Time for us to read and reflect,
The Quran helps our spirits prepare.
When we hear the adthan being sung
We pray together, and it’s a family affair.
At sunset we wait for the muezzin to chant,
Break our fast with dates, water and prayer,
Eat fatoosh, lentil soup, “Pass the stuffed grape leaves please,”
Then walk to mosque, in the cool evening air.
We visit our neighbors and relatives,
Talk and watch our favorite Ramadan fare,
Give alms to the poor and be kind to all,
Let our generosity show that we care.
We go to bed late after having sahour
A tasty 2am lunch to help our bodies repair.
Then wake before dawn and wash ourselves well,
The fast is renewed with the next Morning- Prayer.
Even young children take part in the fast.
They feel grown-up and proudly aware
We decorate our homes in stars and crescent moons,
And feel festive when we go anywhere.
Nothing can describe after fasting, the taste
Of a sip of water, or a bite of date.
A deliciously humbling flavor of gratitude
That is totally beyond compare.
By Karima Hoisan
Jordan, 2007
*Author’s comments:
Ramadan begins today at sunset for millions of Muslims inshAllah, as the new moon has been sighted. “Fatoosh” is a delicious salad of cucumber, tomato, radish onion with lemon peel all chopped fine with large bread crumbs in an oil in and lemon dressing..yummy “InshAllah” means God Willing.
The “adthan” is another word for the muezzins call to prayer. Ramadan is a blessed and anticipated holiday every year of prayer, fasting,sharing food and generosity lived together in family.
Ramadan Mubarak hon. Love and blessings to you.
Ramadan Kareem Beautiful Gabriela.. Much love and hugs and blessings to you too in this sacred time.. Your wishes mean a lot to me🙏❤️
What a gorgeous poem, Karima. I love the flow of the poem, and the reverence for these sacred days. It’s wonderful. Ramadan Mubarak, my dear friend. 🙏❤️🌹✨
Awww thank you so much Jeff and glad you vibrated to my poem from back in 2007.. This time of year, I miss my family very much back in Jordan.. I am pretty much alone this year.. but Ramadan is always a special time.. no matter where we are.. Thank you again dear friend.🙏
You’re most welcome, Karima. Always. The vibrational frequency of your writes always resonates with me. Aww, this must be hard, being away from family. I understand this completely. Sending you many blessings and hugs during this most special time, my dear friend. 🙏🤗
Ramadan Mubarak
Ramadan Kareem daneelyunus! 🙏
Thanks and same to you 😊
رمضان كريم!
!رمضان مبارك
What a beautiful description of Ramadan and roza! I remember we also used to get up as child in the morning at muezzin’s call. That was a different time, when we used to enjoy Iftaar with my Muslim friends every evening. All the best for this holy month, Karima! Ramadan Mubarak!!
Thank you so much Kaushal..and I love hearing of your times you shared Iftar (in Jordan we call it fatoor:) with your Muslim friends..Here I share it with many Christian friends as Costa Rica is a Catholic country by majority. Thank you for your lovely comment and best wishes for this sacred time. Ramadan Kareem!
Ramadan Mubarak, Karima!
Such a vivid and delightful description of the month long festivities!
I enjoyed reading your poem, specially the last stanza which has culminated the essence of the fast and yes, nothing can compare to it.
Ramadan Mubarak! Thank you for this vivid read; the imagery is beautiful and the emotion stunning.
Thank you so much dear Harshi Ramadan Kareem and yes when you fast that first sip of water is so incredible..Like nectar:):) Hugss Harshi and I thank you so much for your sweet comment🤗❤️
Ramadan Kareem Jaya.. aww my pleasure and thank you even more, for leaving this comment ..I am thrilled you enjoyed my description 🙂 🤗
Love your wonderful poem Karima!!! Lovely sentiments for special day. Enjoy all of the festivities my friend! Ramadan Mubarak! 💖🤗🤗😇😇
Ramadan Kareem Cindy!! Thank you for your wishes and also your appreciation of my Ramadan poem…I wrote many years ago… Thank you for being so supportive of me and my poetry.. You are a shining soul!!🤗🙏
Thank you and yours so welcome. It’s a lovely one to share over and over as it is lovely to learn the sentiments and sharing and caring behind it. How’s your video coming along? You’re soooo welcome and thank you too for your support always Karima!~ 💖
Thank you Cindy…It reflects one of my earlier Ramadan’s spent in Jordan and means a lot to me personally…Oh and… my video was finished this afternoon!!!! I hope you enjoy it on YouTube in fullscreen:) Let me know https://karimahoisan.com/2022/04/03/you-brought-the-music-on-youtube/ ❤️
Ramadan Mubarak, Karima! May you be blessed with a deeply spiritual journey during this month of Ramadan., Insh’Allah!
Sorry Dawn, just catching up:) Ramadan Kareem!! Thank you so much for your beautiful wishes..This is always what we hope for too.. InshAllah will be another very blessed Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak, Karima! a festive and beautiful poem with some tasty Arabic treats my friend, yummy :))
Ramadan Kareem ya Jay! Aww thank you for your words on my poem and yes , Iftar *we say fatoor in Jordan, is always a fabulous spread of all our wonderful foods.. I have some Palestinian sister-in-laws and one Iraqi sister and they bring special treats to the table too. It’s All Yummy!:)
Just want to say thank you for the explanation of the meaning of certain words.
My pleasure. Thank you for visiting my blog 🙂