bliss warrior

tonight I will prepare homemade hummus, kibbe, labin and fattoush

fresh lavash and dolmades were picked up from the middle eastern market today

a few tokes from the hooka, mango or peach tobacco, whatever he chooses

the familiar smells

tastes, textures

will transport me back

back to carefree days when the family was still one

sunday lunch at grandma and grandpa’s house

when there was a head of the family

wives and children were priority

never second to girlfriends or work
no step-her, step-him
no one absent, no others to mess things up

grandpa, never allowing it to happen
 

the bangle of stacked gold braclets

shimmering up and down the women's arms
clank of glasses, toasting

loud voices, fists banging the table during fits of laughter

the taste of sweet mint tea

a refuge for our tribe

occassional foreign visitors

which meant the kids table for me and my cousins

we would take the pitted black olives and place them on our fingertips

waving at each other under our little table
until we were caught

bright yellow rubber gloves
protecting my aunt's long, beautiful, curved, salmon colored nails
from dishpan hands and hot water

departure
heart and tummy full, content
racing with my cousins, easter green grass
jumping off the steps to the heavy, old home
taking two, three, even four at a time

until next sunday
let us know what we can bring

Ma'assalama, Goodbye/Go in peace

new camera, new magic, new creative thoughts
finally getting samantha to look into the camera
must be a sign

I walk down two rivers everyday

one is straight and narrow
always catching my breath
careful not to fall in
always on guard, alert, wide eyed
must be put together
always keep it together

constant stream of water
going down, down, down
no twists, turns, lulls
making a beeline for somewhere
somewhere I do not care to go

the other is curvy
zig zag, might just muddy my shoes
makes me laugh
this river is always running, just not at the same flow
there are crevasses and pools, where life collects
it sits and reflects
moving on only when it is ready

tomorrow I will be thirty four years old
tomorrow is my day
no expectations
no hassels
everything pink
everything sweet