“City Rain” by Dale Innis on Midjourney
Put me in this place I need to be today
if you bring the right music.
I will shut the door behind us.
I’ve been feeling good about myself
for one whole week
and now I need to let
the words slip through the grate
slide out in dance
or with grace,
take a picture
of my beaming face,
I hope you’ll stay the night
my muse.
If you say yes,
we can keep up
the pace,
until the break of first sunlight
the following day.
In my lucid dreams
I have no control it seems.
I watch it aware this unfolds
on my very own stage,
but …
I have never been the director.
I am never in control of my lines
or the scenes;
lucid as a wide awake schoolgirl,
I stand in the middle of the street
and watch it all with my eyes open
and whoever is,
changing the scenery
lowering the scrims,
cuing the rain…
is hidden from me
in the shadows of backstage.
and it just feels so real,
so very real.
The colors and where I find myself
assure me I am asleep
and yet I do not have any idea
how this scene will end,
or where my next line will
begin.
Can I intervene with lucid clarity
and push the plot
Like this> < like that?
To here> < to there?
Is love at the end or a fall
from a roof top around the bend?
And I, the ecstatic spectator
have given up any control
so long ago.
I sit in awe,
my mouth wide open
and hope to catch a glimpse
of the director,
before lights are dimmed
and the curtain descends
and the play is over.
Karima Hoisan
March 17, 2023
Costa Rica
Digital Rabbit Hole 
I… I… I am blown away by this poem of yours, Karima ❤
Much love,
David
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww I will put you back together again ❤️David❤️..such a big comment…Thank you! 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗 😘
LikeLike
Love this! I hadn’t thought of that image as a dream, but now I see it very dreamlike. Life is like a lucid dream! Are we ever in control? Do we ever (get to) see the Director? Deep thoughts simply and beautifully put.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny, that is what I first saw in it when you showed me it yesterday. I felt like it could be a poem, but no time frame and then today it declared itself, after muse took interest too:) I do expect we will meet the Director, but a little glimpse while the play is still in progress, does wonders for the soul:) Thank you Dale for the inspiring image and your continual support:):)
LikeLike
!!Eh…yes…. ”and hope to catch a glimpse
of the director,
before lights are dimmed”
I know that feeling so well, from ‘Realife’, all these special effects, the enigmatic ‘Presence’. You captured the experience so well and I’m so glad that you did and shared it. (I used to say ”Invisible The Showman has done this….”). Isn’t it strange that we know, and we know that we know, and yet…..we don’t ‘Know’. Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe, probably the Know (with capital K) comes after the curtain call:) But it’s an interesting topic to ponder and glad you also enjoy seeing glimpses of that “enigmatic Presence” that darts in and out of our lives:) I really enjoyed your comment, Belavar…thank you for taking the time to leave it for me:)
LikeLike
Thanks for being so gracious. I really appreciate you sharing tirelessly, reminding us of The Magic. Your voice is in counterpoint to mainstream nihilism! Seeing your glimmering lantern swaying in the fog ahead, ‘Way-Shower’….one is not afraid to take another step, but joyfully surprised for the Encouragement!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how beautifully said…yes we are in an age of nihilism and despair. Thank you for saying I hold a light..at times, I see clearly..but not always, The difference maybe is I know Magic exists..that subtle magic that is possible to witness and to create. Your YT on the disappearing penny is perfect. We must learn to tip the glass. to see it..it’s there..it’s always been there, Thank you Belavar.
LikeLike
Karima Karima Karima!!! This is divine on so many levels. I kept thinking “ooo this is my favorite part” and then I’d read the next line and think that was my favorite part! That is the work of a truly brilliant creator like yourself!!!! I was hooked from this GENIUS title, and you delivered throughout. I love the feeling of being lucid in your words, you took me into the emotion of lucid dreaming. I could read it over and over and get a new meaning. Obviously, I’m rambling 🤣 but it’s just how much I love your words. Truly, this is sensational 🤍🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have me smiling over coffee which is a perfect way to start the day:) A true lucid dreamer Is the director, the writer, the star but that is not my case:) Maybe I just choose to surrender to my dreams…keep that “in- awe” place, that can be a choice too…In any case, Dale’s image once again piqued a poem out of me. You can ramble all you want haha,,,love your rambling and you always see and appreciate what you find in my poetry…I am so thankful..so ramble on my dear…Love this comment❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a star in my eyes, dear friend!! Haha thank you for your always sweet responses to my rambles 🥰🤗🤍
LikeLike
Love it Karima. Always enjoy your musings about your muse. You’re ever ready to capture it, flow along with it, and turn it into something readable, enjoyable. And a loud shout out for the person who’s drawn up this painting (Dale Innis – I think he’s the same artist from that three part story on your youtube channel, right?) I just couldn’t take my eyes off the painting. Something magnetic about it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello my friend:) I always get a joyous reaction seeing your name in comments.. Hope you are doing well and writing…would love to see what you have been up to:) This is Dale’s image yes..using AI Art and it sparked the idea for this poem. I too love it..it seems to be appearing or disintegrating, right before your eyes. My friend, I have a very special post I wrote for my birthday…Please read it when you have the time..I would love that you know the real me:) not the avatar me:) https://karimahoisan.com/2023/03/09/making-it-real-or-surprise/
I will look forward to hearing from you again soon. Thank you for your continual appreciation of my muse and the poetry we make together 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how the opening lines immediately ground me in the poem and pull me along into the place I need to be today. Lovely writing! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh Layla ( I’m sure you know your name means Night in Arabic. Night Todd is a great name too:) I am so happy my poem led you to a good place for today. Very appreciative, always, for your feedback, Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I watch it aware this unfolds on my very own stage, but … I have never been the director. I am never in control of my lines or the scene” I love this with all of my heart. When we can hang onto this understanding and awareness, all of life becomes that more beautiful, inspirational, and transformational. Amazing write, Karima.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Jeff, for this deeply understanding comment about my poem. Awww you have made my day with your beautiful words and your sincere appreciation of what I was trying to say in this poem:) Now you know me a bit better….but I hope to present to you, the flesh & blood woman behind the avatar. When you have a moment, I would be honored if you would read my post, my reveal post of who Karima Hoisan really is:) I hope you’re not totally shocked haha..but I’ll take my chances, because you have been a loyal WordPress friend for years now:) Enjoy! https://karimahoisan.com/2023/03/09/making-it-real-or-surprise/
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome, dear Karima. Awww, I’m so happy this is so. Oh, wow! I can’t wait to see and to read your post. I will head there soon. :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Swept along by the beauty of life. This flows in a wonderful way and is full of inspiration. A great read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much David for this thoughtful comment
LikeLike
What a beautiful, surreal, dreamy poem you’ve weaved, Karima…such deep lines…A decade ago, I used to think that I was in control of my life…I used to also think that I could fix other’s problems, issues, life…but one day, that illusion shattered just like that…when my then physiotherapist, who’s Buddhist & also a healer simply moved the plant from right to left side of her window…she said – “Navin, you can’t control the movement of this plant…you can’t control movement, behaviour of people…you can’t control earth, sun, moon…you can’t control life.”…this sounds very simple but when one is a control freak, then coming in contact with this new info, isn’t that simple…see, from your poem to that word – control to my long sharing…how things can connect…this poem of yours is captivating at so many levels…the Director…we know there’s one…we don’t get to see its form…but we truly feel the energy around us…life is like a lucid dream…you’ve expressed it amazingly…this digital art by Dale is fabulous…only you can “extract” such poem from this art…bravo, my dear friend 💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
* how things can be connected
LikeLike
Wow so sorry I left your incredible comment slip through the fingers of time. I so enjoyed you telling me what your physiotherapist, told you about control and it is so spot on. Control is really just an illusion and true surrender is a great key to staying in harmony with the Director and all the energy that we too form part of. This comment made me think so much on this whole subject. I totally agree with you, Life IS like a lucid dream and some of us are still sleep walking through it. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your experience. I love always to hear what you have to say:) Thank you my friend….you are the very best 🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome Karima…thank you for letting me share…it’s the magic of your poem 💫
LikeLike
Karima, this is such beautiful poetry, such rich imagery. I will need to read it again a few times as there is so much there. It feels like it is about awe.
Glad to have connected on the “blogosphere.” 🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Steve…yes there is a lot going on in this poem, much like when we dream and remember it. I like your conclusion about “awe” yes that is a good word to describe the state. I’m glad to have connected with you too….”blogsphere” is still a noble mode of connecting us..crazy poets and writers and dreamers:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so welcome, Karin’s. I’m glad you liked my conclusion… it came across strongly to me. I am finding that a lot in life, serendipitously. Crazy poets, writers and dreamers all the way…
LikeLike
Karima, This is such a beautiful piece about life and how we are not in control in so many ways, it is God who controls the set, the scene, and the hopes, love, and knocks in life. What a beautifully written piece this is; as always I your work. It is profound in that it is so true every line. I just love the work by Dale and how you start out this piece about feeling good about yourself for a week, I know that feeling. My muse is so many things but often my biggest muse is sorrow and that is not a bad thing but some will think it is but it is a blessing in so many ways. It keeps me so grateful as I should not be alive but I am because God gave me a choice and I said not now. You are such a wonderful poet. I want you to know that I appreciate your work, thank you for your message dearest Karima and I will write you soon. You are such a beautiful soul and you are in my prayers, I am sending you my love and a warm hug. Blessings to you every day is a better day with you in it. I love how much we think a like, about so many things it is uncanny really. Love you sweetie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh thank you so much Joni for this comment..so much more than a comment. I have been meaning to ask you if you could send your last recording (before you received mine) to me again. I have somehow lost the attachment and I wanted to address a few specific things you said in it. I understand that sorrow can be a great muse but not for the maudlin qualities but for the gratefulness we feel when we have come out on the other side.. I want to talk about this a bit more with you, so if you send me your last, I can. I also love how you write and express yourself, be it poetry or prose, you have such an honesty that runs though all you do. We do have such similar thoughts on so many things..It is uncanny and also what draws us to getting to know each other better. Big hugs and thank you so much for enjoying this poem, once again inspired by one of Dale’s prompts:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dearest Karima I finally got some time on my own to listen to your beautiful note. It meant the world to me. I will try and send that one and an answer tomorrow. We have still not sold the house yet and we have been out a lot due to open houses. Things have been a bit nuts here and I have been overwhelmed. I promise to send a new note tomorrow it won’t be until after noon. Your poetry is so beautiful. You have such a gift. I am sending you big hugs and love. 🦋🌹🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you dear one..I am so glad you enjoyed the recording. Sorry about the sale of your house still in waiting..Awww take a deep breath..take a bit of time for yourself..Inshallah..Don’t worry about me.. and thank you for loving my poetry… very mutual as you know 🤗
LikeLike