That Old VHS
for Umahmad
It cost me $100 to convert that old VHS into a video file…
I had no idea what was on it
except the title promised, “Road to Petra.”
I hoped it would show me her face
just to see her face once more
would be more than worth it.
I had to wait a week and in that time
I fantasized all the wonderful things
I would see again twenty two years later.
How disappointing to find, there was only
a close up of a flicking horse tail,
rear legs chugging ahead, through the surreal gorge
now deemed a New Wonder of The World.
She sat to my left in the front seat
behind the driver
my two brothers sat behind us
and the camera, unknown to me
was capturing just what it could see
as I had no idea it was turned on..
Sometimes you’d see the ground, sometimes the walls
of this little opening…a narrow road
that Nature had carved out of a mountain.
How disappointing, not a face captured along the road
as the cart bumped and swayed …
but what was hidden in this old tape
was her laughing voice again
as we conversed in Arabic
I held my breath.
There she was I heard her, alive again..,in 2004
and laughing and joking with me.
In one instant the bumping camera caught our feet
squished together on the floor of the cart
by God, is that not worth $100?
What price??? to share once more,
in our closeness and in her living laughter and joy?
Karima Hoisan
March 13, 2026
Costa Rica
i could see it, hear it. beautiful, & so touching! ❤️🥰
Thank you soulkin…I had a feeling you would enjoy this one
My disappointment changed into gratefulness….smiles
How lovely Karima ❤️
Thank you so much, for your comment, Maggie, I’m glad you enjoyed it:)
Always a pleasure to read your words Karima 🥰❤️
That means a lot to me, Maggie 🌹
Ach, that’s amazing! And beautiful and touching, and such a lovely verse. To think, that you have this because you happened to have the camera on, even by accident, at just that time, and the recording made it through time to you. So many moments that we’d love to have access to again somehow…
Oh yes, how wonderful to have a secret camera capturing our sounds through out our lives. Hearing her voice again was priceless… My disappointment at the “quality” of the video turned into total joy everytime she talked, she laughed. Thank you so much Dale..for your beautiful comment.
Oh my what an amazing photo and worth every cent, Karima. I have a huge smile on my face as laughter is one of the best forms of love that I know. I’m sooo happy you get to share that moment over and over and relive that special time with a beloved friend. Much love my friend! ❣️❤️💕
Yes Cindy, Yes!! We say that Ramadan is a generous time, a time when good things might just happen for you…I have received two generous gifts in these weeks and this video is one of them. I had many photos of her, but I had lost the timbre of her voice, how she laughed and expressed herself..
Then in the last week of Ramadan I heard her again…before schizophrenia, before cancer, before she no longer talked. Alhamdulillah…this gift is priceless!! Thank you for leaving me your words..You know her whole story…so I know you know:):) Ramadan Kareem Cindy!!
It most certainly is and what a gift to hold her close to your heart and laugh! Her story lives in you know and all of us! Namaste my friend! ❤️❣️❤️
Awww thank you again…Such a gift!! Peace my sweet Pisces friend
❤️🐠💕🐟 Happy Sunday, Karima❣️
Smiles and hugs
Hugs to you Selma:)
”but what was hidden in this old tape
was her laughing voice again” I love this—it reminds me of how the many gems of life are hidden inside things, just like us. Beautiful, Karima. 🙏🧡
Aww thank you so much Jeff for this beautiful comment…yes you understand:) So many gems shine not on the surface but in the depths…and she was definitely one too:)
Such a sweet and nostalgic piece! Love the emotion and remembrance here.
Hello Layla!! So nice to see you here and thank for reading this poem..
I learned a great lesson with this….sometimes less than we expect can actually be more:) I cherish the tape now,,,just as it is:)
What a wonderful opportunity. You got to hear her voice and the conversation you had with her. Priceless.
I know Sadje right? There is no price for that gift…I am just so grateful to have it. Thank you for your understanding 🤗 Eid Mubarak!!
Eid Mubarak dear sister. Hope it’s a happy and blessed day for you all