“Hand ‘n Hand by Dale Innis on Midjourney
Please click Play to hear my recording of my poem to the beautiful piano music of
Michelle McLaughlin
Donna & Danna
Donna & Danna traversed the sand-dunes
and stopped in front of the pale blue sea.
Green skies of washed-out white clouds
met their wide-open eyes
The air smelled of bird feathers and dry seaweed
It filled their nostrils with salty breeze
below the fading sea-green skies .
They were born to be namesakes
as they carried the same name
Just the blonde was one year older
and instead of sisters,
they were next-door neighbors.
Unless you saw their names spelled out
You would think they were written the same
but one was spelled in the Italian style
and the other was spelled in the Spanish way.
They were assaulted with the sound
of waves and more,
rolling and pounding, groaning and moaning
while they constantly recreated themselves,
then lost all of their form,
when fatally crashing upon the shore.
Donna said, “I lost a ring one day
I was out in a boat when it fell into the sea
They say everything will find
its way to shore, eventually.”
I had been telling Danna that
until I myself began to believe
and in our innocence and faith
we came to the seashore, just to see
if that ring might wash up at our feet.
We were best friends so we always held hands.
Steeled with unwavering belief, we just knew
that today was the day we would find it,
sparkling in all its glorious hues,
polished, by rolling over and over in the sand
and it would be before this day finally met its end.
We kicked off our shoes and walked barefoot
along the sandy, smooth -rock shore.
Danna told me a secret that made me laugh
I told her a joke that made us giggle then roar.
The seaweed breeze, the clouds forming
horse heads and butterflies, a leafless tree
and the sun was dipping down behind the last cloud
and we looked to each other..because we were now hungry.
“Maybe only ten minutes more
before we will need to leave”
“Oh Donna, could we stay for 15?”
“I think we should go before its too dark to see.”
But then in front of their feet as if summoned by the two
was a shiny ruby ring, just showing off the reddest hues.
“Oh Donna, we found it; we found it! Danna cried”
“Oh my goodness gracious, I can hardly believe my eyes”
Donna was beside herself so totally overjoyed.
They clasped it into both their hands, each taking turns
to hold it tightly in their palm the other squeezing.
As the sound of roaring waves began to fade
on their way back home,
Donna was lost in gratitude and silent thought.
She finally decided to never tell Danna anything…
that she had just made up the story about
being out in a boat…… and losing a ring.
Karima Hoisan
May 22, 2023
Costa Rica
*Footnote: Danna is my 11 year old granddaughter but from behind, Donna on the left
reminds me of myself at that age and Danna looks like the one on the right. In Spanish we say we are “Tocayas” Which means we are namesakes of each other:)
Digital Rabbit Hole 
A sweet story, and a lovely twist. 🙂 Honored again to have had one of my pictures inspire a poem from you; I had no idea that was in there!
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Thank you Dale for this comment and especially the image. I didn’t know it was in there either:) It’s amazing how many of my poems have been inspired by your images.. I’ll have to take a count sometime:)
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Oh Karima, this is such a beautiful storytelling reading. It took me to the most wonderful childhood memories. Thank you!
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Oh Cassa what a validating comment… I am thrilled it took you back into your own childhood memories..How very wonderful!!! Thank you so much for letting me know 🙏
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Nice story.
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Thank you so much for reading and enjoying it
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what a beautiful story of such wonderful memories. As always your words is always bring life to your poetry. What a special connection of love and connection. It’s a dreamy poem of love and sharing of the inner love of childhood play. 💗💗 BFF’s forever!!! ❣️
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Aww thank you Cindy!! I love that you connected to this story..BBF!! Those were the days.. So glad you enjoyed with the audio and music..Might make a nice bedtime story experience:):) I was hoping it would:)
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You’re so very welcome dear! Oh yes they were and your words are always soothing and peaceful making for a nice sleep!😘 and a restful awakening ❣️
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Oh I loved they could lull you to sleep…perfect:)
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🥰🙏🏼🥰
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En la vida, a veces solo se necesita muy poco para ser feliz. Un recuerdo de juventud lleva a tu inspiración a los versos que han comenzado a brotar de la niebla de los recuerdos y a adquirir perfiles poéticos sólidos para que tu poema sea una oda a la ternura de los años inocentes. Nací al lado del mar y allí transcurrió mi juventud. La nostalgia me arropa esta noche con tu poesía. Un espléndido poema Karima. Feliz noche.
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Qué dicha Manuel que tu infancia la pasaste al lado del mar. Yo viví 1o años con el mar enfrente de mi vista . El mar en sí es un poema..es un misterio, un amor, un sueño enigmático. Aww que lindo que me dices que mi poema despertó en tí, la nostalgia de estas olas, interminables, e infinitos.. Tu comentario es un poema de lujo también para mi. Muchas gracias Manuel, y que tengas una mañana felíz:)
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Por nada Karima. Siempre es un placerte,
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Such a beautiful story Karima 💞
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Thank you Maggie, I’m very happy you found it beautiful:)
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Great to see them walking hand in hand on Midjourney. The innocense and sweetness surfaced in their young minds. Keep going and enjoy. Have a great day.
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Thank you for commenting..Are you also a Midjourney user?
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You’re welcome. You can visit my blog too if you have extra time. I hope you will like and follow it.
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i just love this wonderful telling! what a good feeling it leaves one with: a smile lighting the face🤗🥰🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼🌈 yes, the bottom line needs to be magical & not mundane✨🦋💕✨thank you for the uplifting walk by the ocean that was a true blessing!🥰🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
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Thank you so much soulkin…what a rich and poetic comment you left here for me to find:) Magical beats mundane even if you have to tell a little fib, to go on an exciting expedition to find a “lost ring”:) That’s where the magic begins..I’m so glad you walked along with us…:) Blessings to you sweet friend 🤗❤️🙏🦋🌹🌈
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scratch the mundane deep enough & one will inevitably touch upon the magical (it’s everywhere!🎈)🌹✨✨🌹
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At the bottom it’s All Magic 🪄 yes!
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🤗🥰
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Your gift of story telling in poetic form really amazed me…and this one made me smile…😊😊 reminded me of my childhood…(many moons ago 😅😊) and your reading…ahhhh so perfect.👏👏👏
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Thank you so much, and I was sure I had relied but am seeing now that I didn’t. Oh childhood memories are so wonderful to revisit (at least the good times) Thank you for listening to it and commenting on my reading. That means much to me you found it “perfect: Wow! Hugs
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Beautiful, brilliant. Works so good collectively! You found the magic here! What an exciting piece filled with all sorts of emotions. Your gift for storytelling on display!
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Thank you so Ben, and I’m thrilled you liked this piece. You are one of a few people who has encouraged me to explore more the storytelling side of my poetry. Iam so glad you think this worked. Your appreciation and hour feedback has been invaluable for me. Thank you so much for listening and leaving this uplifting comment. 🙏🌹
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Glad you have. You have so much presence with it. Keep going. You keep reaching new heights. This is truly a gem. 🙂
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Thank you again my friend, you inspire me to reach higher 🙂 You made me beam 🌟 before breakfast:)
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I love this beautiful poetic story, Karima! I find love, innocence and emotion here. It sent me down the memory lane. The way you write makes everything relatable. Well penned, Karima:)
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Thank you so much Kaushal and I am very pleased you enjoyed the story and yes it is about innocence and belief in the impossible. I am so appreciative of your beautiful comment.
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