I rang in the new year
with the silence of the world
echoing in my ears.
A whole planet that had nothing to say
nothing to do to change
what they see on their TV
three times a day.
An entire planet apparently oblivious
to too much suffering, too many bombs.
Too many dying, starving, freezing, crying,
while the Big Ball drops in Manhattan
bringing in a brand new year.
In Gaza the New Year began in flooded streets
freezing weather, inadequate shelter
dystopian landscapes of death and no hope,
rubble monuments piled high to the sky
of man’s sheer inhumanity and cruelty to man.
Karima Hoisan
Jan.1 2025
Costa Rica
Digital Rabbit Hole 
True and powerful words. The lack of empathy, the lack of outrage, are incomprehensible. Future generations will shake their heads and wonder how we could let this happen.
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Honestly… how can we?
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Pray for Gaza
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Yes, I do…. 5 times a day
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Ameen
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The struggle to open hearts and minds will be a tough one in 2025 and I cannot recall a darker opening to the year (and I have seen all since the end of WW2). There is always hope, writing can be a powerful tool than can open minds if we keep to speak out. For those of us living in countries where free speech is still permitted we have a special responsibility to voice the concerns of the oppressed and the needy. Thank you for these words.
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Thank you David…sometimes I choke on these words, doubting myself, “should I say them?” but yes..how can I not? if I want to pull myself out of the apathy and impotence the world seems to be in…I need to write.
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One gets overwhelmed with how to help. I think it all boils down to simple acts of kindness which will be contagious enough to reach all corners of the globe.
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Thank you Linda for reading and this thoughtful comment. Yes, we have to start somewhere and within our means. Both you and I write, at least writing can bring the conversation out of the shadows and out of the silence. Hugs and here’s to a better year!!
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Palpable and felt, dear Karima! Powerful and important and painful to face. Hugs and love to you my dear friend! May we find respite in each other and love to share no matter the distance. YOu are always in mine along with the pain we hold that calls us to action. xoxoxoxo 💗
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Ahhh Cindy and yes I know you know..I can fall back into my silly toads and ducklings and then, I start choking on the horror of a reality far far away and yet so close to my heart. I can’t keep silent forever..but I admit I do keep silent longer than I should… I know you know this all..I have read you when you just burst out with your truth..and in the end it’s about being humane..practuicing humanity not….this that is happening daily!!! Thank you for your comment and much love and best thoughts for you in this year of 2025.
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Hi my dearest. This didn’t come up in my feed but I sought you out. Of course you can but we can keep blinders on forever is right. It’s a bloody frickin bath and we def have to speak up and out. If not now when, where we are extinct! You’re so very welcome, always!!!!! 💗
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Yes..you know what I’m saying…We must live our lives too but never in total oblivion of world suffering.. Much love and appreciation for you Cindy… You are a special one!!
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we each do what we can, & many folks are not yet sufficiently awake. they dont feel what sensitive folks can feel. they are more like society’s puppets. that is why we are here. we are the ones who hold the balance as best we can, not sinking into negativity, but cultivating compassion for ALL who have been caught up in this warfare that is not named as war. they do not yet have the necessary ability for compassion. we are the ones who can focus on compassion!🙏🏼❤️
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Yes, so well put my soulkin and I admit I speak up seldomly, only when it seems, it chokes in my throat…but I do have compassion and sometimes it is all too much to think, about to feel the reality that this goes on and on with no hope in sight. I pray it ends now….
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i know that you are compassionate. these kinds of warring have long histories behind them & much that is hidden. remember “the long game”? this is one of those. it is not yet fully played out. we pray for all of us in this one!
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Most defintely, but the “long game” seems endless for those innocents caught up in it.. I pray for us all but especially for the innocents who have suffered, through out this long history, for no fault of their own…. just who they were born to.
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they appear innocent because we do not know their reincarnational history. ultimately, we all have had something at some point to atone for, so none is completely innocent nor completely guilty. it is paying off an old debt. we have done that too😎
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Such a tragic way to start the new year.
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Hard to imagine a worse way…Thank you Sadje. 🙏
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Yes, my heart bleeds when I read Anna’s see those pictures
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Nothing more cruel than mankind. It’s heartbreaking.
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So sad to admit this truth about us….but so true Pooja!
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Masterful poem!
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Thank you Dawn..it came in one rush of feeling…
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It’s a very sad and hopeless reality. 🙏
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Sighs, I stopped holding my breath months ago, that this genocide would stop/be stopped. Prayer is all I have left. Thank you for commenting.
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It seems that prayer is our only hope and weapon. Thinking about the cries in desolation makes me sick to my stomach. 😟😐
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🤗 Me too..I want to hug them all,..Save them all…
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I can feel your pains on the first day of the new year. What’s happening around us doesn’t give comfort or reason to celebrate. Let’s hope better sense will prevail in this new year, and peace will be restored in every corner of this planet. Amen!
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Ahh thank you so much Kaushal..your words show so much understanding…Let’s hope this year will heal although wounds.
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A true and honest piece about one of the worst times in history, especially if you look at everything else going on in other parts of the world. I was letting everything that I read, which honestly wasn’t very much because I don’t watch the news except what I watch on my computer. I don’t think it helps to drown ourselves in such sorrow. I wrote a piece about this same thing some time ago and am holding onto it because I think that the entire thing is hideous beyond words. I am glad you have brought attention to it, my friend, the compassionate human that you are, with this lovely but honest piece. The world is a broken place and I would truly be concerned all the time if I did not know that I will be in Heaven with God when we finally go too far. I put myself in God’s hands as I know you do as well. I love you dear Karima. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Thank you dear friend…just one of those moments, I could no longer stay silent. I know you understand. Big hugs Joni and a Happier 2025
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