Running on Empty, poetry by Karima Hoisan at Spillwords.com
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Running on Empty

Karima Hoisan·
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Running on Empty

written by: Karima Hoisan

 

The new moon proclaims the time
Ramadan is on our lips and in the air.
From the first day we begin our fast,
food and drink are replaced by prayer.

I love this time of year when it arrives,
when sacrifice brings inner satisfaction.
It might be hard to understand how this is so,
but staying in the moment we avoid all distraction.

Running on empty and joyously so,
I have stripped away all my needs.
Like the secret of a withered husk,
inside there lives a growing seed.

The lightness that comes over me at this time,
watching the long shadows while the day is growing late,
brings a feeling of peace, gratitude and restraint
to wait until the Maghreb call, for a sip of water, a bite of date.

 

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

“Maghreb” prayer is the sunset prayer when we break our fast during Ramadan.

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10 Responses

  1. Such a beautiful poem that fills the senses of satisfaction while emptying out, Karima. Such deep satisfaction is felt in your words penned well, Karima.
    There is an awe and memory of the sacredness of this moment and special time.
    Loved this stanza:

    💞

    “I have stripped away all my needs.
    Like the secret of a withered husk,
    inside there lives a growing seed.    “

    1. Thank you so much Cindy for bringing your beautiful and thoughtful comment here. I imagine in your spiritual practices, you also fast at times, so I’m pretty sure you know the feeling of lightness and clarity that begins to fill you (instead of food:) Yes, an “awe and a memory of the sacredness of this moment.” How beautifully you put it. Thank you so much for this deep and knowing comment my friend 🙏🌙

  2. Beautiful and peaceful. I really feel that sense of lightness and faith. How lovely for sacrifice to bring inner satisfaction and that there is mutual support within the community ‘to avoid distraction’
    By the way I lived in Costa Rica many years ago – the most beautiful place ever x

    1. Thank you so much Nina for your beautiful comment and it makes me so happy to know you could feel the things I was trying to convey in my poem. I live in San Isidro del General in Pérez Zeledón. Where did you live? It truly is a gorgeous place and I have been here since 1975. It was so lovely of you to leave your comment. Thank you again”:)

      1. I lived in San Jose – with my young family. For about 2-3 years. This was in the 90s. We loved it especially visits to Tortuguero, Arenal and the cloud forests. One day maybe I’ll go back to visit.
        Have a lovely day

  3. Your poem gave me a sense of solitude Karima. This is beautiful and like Cindy, I too love this:

    “Running on empty and joyously so,
    I have stripped away all my needs.
    Like the secret of a withered husk,
    inside there lives a growing seed.    “

    1. Thank you so much Mich for leaving your comment here on Spillwords (along with your ❤️) I appreciate it and so happy you felt the serenity of solitude I was trying to convey in my words. So glad you enjoyed reading it:)

    1. Thank you so much to come all the way here and leave your comment, Kate. I am happy you could feel the serenity of the mood I was trying to describe. It truly is a very “soul soothing” time of the year.

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