The Painting”One Cup” by Dale Innis
Please click play to hear me recite my poem to music
For My Family in Jordan
Harsh lands bring soft embraces,
Here we all drink from one cup.
Before we put our share to our mouths,
We make sure there is enough.
Oven winds bake a glaze on my face,
While dry eyes squint to the sky.
Two leathered hands sift Martian sands,
I can’t pull away yet, and I know why.
Destiny’s prisoner, I smile and submit,
While drying out my soul is refreshed.
The cool realization; I am where I should be
Makes me know I am doubly blessed.
I choose to stay, in an open doorway,
Trembling ~ indecisive, but I don’t leave.
Feels like a premonition or a déjà vu,
On impulse I cancel my flight of reprieve.
Harsh lands bring soft embraces,
Here we all drink from one cup.
Before we put our share to our mouths,
We make sure there is enough.
Karima Hoisan
Karak Jordan
2006
Digital Rabbit Hole 
Double WOW! Magnificent poem, music and reading.
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Thank you so much Jay for listening and commenting..Glad you enjoyed the total package 🙂 🙏🌹
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Lovely and nostalgic, so beautifully expressed!
(And I’m honored again to have provided an image to go with your verse and your voice.)
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Thank you so much Dale…and also for the great image. Wow 2006 was a long time ago, but these kinds of family scenes, eating on the ground on cooler summer night after the scorching day..I miss them:)
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A wonderful poem dear Karima. Years I ago. I spend time in Jordan. I enjoyed my time in the country. The people were very kind to me.
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Thank you so much John and yes, the Jordanian people are very kind and welcoming…much like here in Costa Rica especially 20 years ago.
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I was a trainer of new weapons for the Army. I spend a lot of time in the Middle East. In my almost three years roaming Asia and Africa. I never had any problems. You are welcome dear Karima. Cold and chilly in Michigan. I am ready for Costa Rica.
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I have no doubt you are:):)
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Magical.
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Awww thanks K.:):) Glad it captivated you:)
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Incredible, Karima. I’d love to reshare this Saturday Saturday on songshine sounds.com. Let me know if that would be okay, as I can include a link to your site and bio. Cheers. Thanks for sharing your cup of wisdom.
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Oh of course you can share it…I am honored really:)
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Oh wonderful. I can’t wait to feature your inspiring art.
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Greetings. I will plan to reblog your inspiring post next Saturday as one of my cowriters has posted for today on Songshine. Also, that will give me time to figure out the easiest way to share the audio.
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That’s fine for next Saturday and if you need a copy of the original mp3 file let me know what is needed.I could also pass a link and put it on my server, so just clicking that, it will play…Let me know:)
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very nice… the arabic drumming builds a specific environment for the imagination.
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Oh I agree with you totally…love the different Arabic beats, some sound like camels walking and swaying..Thank you for commenting:)
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¡Hermoso!
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Muchas gracias Harlin y ojalá que todos en la casa le gustaron también:)🌹
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Los versos son el canto de la vida misma, en su pasado y en su presente, que se vuelve imagen vívida y eterna. Una evocación muy sentida. Estupendo poema que nos llega al fondo del corazón.
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Exactamente Manuel, nuestos versos del pasado viven nuevamente en nuestra poesía. Sí tienes razón, lo senti este momento con todo mi ser y grabandolo ayer, años después me bajaron las lágrimas por la nostalgia que volví a vivir. Muchas gracias por tu bello comentario y tu apoyo.
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Por nada Karina. Para mí es un placer leerte.
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So beautiful, and so nostalgic poem, with perfect rhyming. I can feel the rhythm. Lovely one, Karima 👌👌❤️❤️
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Ohhh yes, this is a nostalgic one and I relived it yesterday, when I was recording it. The wonderful rhythm of the music, worked so well with my quatrains…So glad you found it enjoyable Kaushal…Thank you my friend.
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“Oven winds bake a glaze on my face” …what a line in your style….I read your poem first & then I listened to it…you’ve this ability to be in the zone, Karima…to connect with the words that you’ve written…a combination of exquisite lines, beautiful music & amazing voice…a memorable tribute to your family in Jordan 🧡
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You made me smile, my friend…when I wrote that line, I wondered if people would find it odd, but honestly it felt like that, when a hot blast of air, just hit you head on..So happy that line stayed with you:) The music keeps me in the zone, and allows me to visually put myself back in the moment. I admit, music is my crutch..but it’s a crutch that works and helps to elevate my poetry when I record it. Naveen, so glad you liked it all together…I try to create a mood using those three elements, and it makes me smile to read approving words like yours. Some of my family commented on fb but they loved it alhamdulillah. I never showed it to them in 2006:) 🙏🌹❤️
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You’re very welcome, Karima…Those three elements worked so well…that line is simply amazing…I could actually picture that…glad your family also liked the poem…your creation 💫💟✨
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a beautiful poem, pulls me right into that old desert magic🙏🏼i love your reading with the very cool music backing you. exquisitely communicated🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼thank you💕
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Ahh soulkin,,I know you know and I am very pleased you enjoyed my delivery and the music..the music makes me want to hand dance. 💃🏻🌹❤️🙏
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I think this is definitely one of my favorites of yours, Karima – just stunning writing and reading.
❤
David
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Oh David..wow really? That means so much to me. Thank you for saying this and totally inspiring me 💃🏻🌹💃🏻
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💙 Karima 💙
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Karima – I’d love to share this as a “REBLOG” on my blog – would that be okay with you?
❤
David
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A great piece of writing, beautifully descriptive. There are places that capture us and even hold us in some way after leaving. We call this hiraeth, it is something more than homesickness, a love of somewhere that we never really let go. This made lovely reading.
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Oh love the explanation for hiraeth and yes, these years always creep back into the present through my poetry. More than nostalgia. just a yearning and a desire to never forget and keep it fresh and still vital in me. Thank you for understanding that David…What a wonderful comment you left for me:)
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Glad to hear you so proud of your country I visited many moons ago, fascinating place and people 🙂
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Thank you so much Kate…how wonderful you visited Jordan,,,did you go to Petra?
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absolutely, I camped there with a couple of bedouins nearby, one could never see it all without a proper guide! Watched the laden donkeys pass through 🙂
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I especially liked the unity and respect conveyed for your family… felt every bit as if I was witnessing tradition. Amazing that a piece written so long ago was revived upon Dale introducing yet another artistic piece. I’ll dare say, your collaborations have elevated into an even more beautiful and spontaneous back and forth, for which we are ever delighted to view and hear. Beautiful!
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Hey Sis Diz:) Aww I knew you would feel this..that’s what it’s all about in a tradition that is old as the desert itself. Oh yes, Dale is becoming legendary creating these wonderful image through AI prompts. Yes it’s a win/win of collaboration, but then it has been for quite awhile in the area of world building.. Thank you so much Sis for reading listening and coming all the way here to comment. Big Hugs.
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That’s a beautiful poem, reading, and painting. All three amazing. I love the line that repeats, the sense of community and reverence is special, Karima.
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Thank you so much Jeff, and though nowadays it’s more metaphorical than actual to drink from one cup (Covid) but the idea that if we need to split a grape 6 ways so all get their share…is still very much alive and I love that tradition so much. Thank you for your enjoyment and for commenting. Have a great week ahead.
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Really feel like I am transported to these lands, that’s how well you capture the spirit! Well done (as always)
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Hey Scottius, thank you so much for stopping by…I am so happy I could take you to the desert and share the family with you:):) I really appreciate your comment 🦋
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Amazing Karima as usual , words really mean alot to all of us, touch our hearts and make us appreciate every single moments we have shared together and what we will inshalla ❤.
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My dear Nada, yes, I know words specifically and poetry as a means of expression are very important in the Arabic culture…and in our family in particular. Yes all moments we shared have left indelible memories..memories that still vividly live inside of me…InshAllah we will make many more in the coming year…Behebkee, kteer❤️
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Gorgeous wordsmithing. It made me wistful for all of us who miss special places and the people that we shared them with.
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Awww thank you Linda, oh yes, I think about times like this a lot. These are the moments that we remember…those little details that were etched into us like eternal tattoos..because they were special and unforgettable. Hugs you.
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This is such a beautiful poem, Karima!
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Thank you so much Dawn…I’m really glad you think so.:) Thank you for leaving your comment.🌹
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Your calm voice created the perfect atmosphere for this poem, I felt like I was in the desert. Great job.
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Thank you so much for leaving this inspiring comment and for visiting my blog. I really appreciate it.
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Love it
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Thank you so much Saania!! Love that you left this comment 🌹
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Dear Karima Hoisan,
It seems that you have intoxicatingly relived your time spent in Al-Karak at west-central Jordan. What a strong and somewhat haunting recitation you have given us! The music is a very apropos sonic backdrop to your narration of the poem. Well done!
In my very detailed, multipronged and poignant examination of mortality and filiality in my expansive post entitled “Khai & Khim: For Always and Beyond Goodbye“, I have recounted the following experience:
You are welcome to peruse my said post, which you can easily locate from the Home page of my blog. I welcome your input and feedback there, as I am certainly very keen and curious about what you will make of my said post.
Thank you for composing this latest post of yours entitled “One Cup” as we enjoy the final month of autumn in November.
Wishing you a productive November and a wonderful weekend doing or enjoying whatever that satisfies you the most, whether intellectually, artistically, physically or spiritually!
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle
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Wow! I will reply to your unexpected and very interesting comment tomorrow..InshAllah.
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So wonderful poem. Nice & interested words use in poem.
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Thank you so much!
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I love this and don’t remember ever seeing it before. And always the underlying Karima Hoisan…”Destiny’s prisoner; I smile and submit.”
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Thank you so much Hoyt..and you’re right, I never did this one in a reading..I hope you enjoyed listening to it… I love your comments…Thank you for this one!
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Such a mesmerizing mood this sets!
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Sorry Ben, I have been amiss keeping up with cherished comments… Yours definitely are…so pleased you slipped into the mood that inspired it.
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No worries at all. Brilliant work!
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bravo!!!
As a fellow writer, I would be thrilled if you’d write a guest blog post for my site! My blog is for anyone who loves writing, books, and all the arts. If you think it might be fun or helpful to have my followers (who total about 10k across my various social media) meet you, here’s the link for general guidelines: https://wp.me/p6OZAy-1eQ
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Thank you very much for your generous offer da-Al and I will get back to you soon.
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wonderful!
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Pingback: REBLOG: ‘One Cup’ by Karima Hoisan – The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱
Beautiful work Karima, conjures up memories of time and place, mostly though can we all hold our own humanity and beliefs – love this one
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Love your visits to my blog and always….such beautiful comments you leave. Thank you Iris…This desert code is something we both share:)
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This poem reminds me of my time living in the United States… and how often my mind wondered to life in Jamaica, where although we never drank from one cup… we always made sure there is enough… now back home in Jamaica, I find we have been invaded by the mind of the United States…!
🇯🇲🏖️
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So sad… in Jordan there is great care to make sure each get their share. The drink frim one cup is more metaphorical , but the coffee served to visitors Is always drunk from one small cup quickly and then passed on to the next.
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I understood it to be metaphorical, that it spoke of the mindset of the People in general… which so-called developed nation had put aside, when they swallowed the flip side of modernity…!
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