Artwork by May Grabli
By Alia Yunis
Use olive oil every day, many times a day… it will keep strong those of us who have a home in which to cook, even when the news makes it hard to breathe. Rise like our bread to speak for those who have no food. Experiment with maqluba until it stands upside down perfectly while you stay upright no matter how others try to bring you down. Soak knafa cheese until is sweet enough to counter the aftertaste of tears. Fold into conversations with those who only know us as terrorists or hummus experts, hummus and humanity sound similar in English, and they are better shared. Remember our heritage is baked into Palestine’s soil-- sage in the fall, grape leaves in the spring, And rooted year-round in our family trees –pomegranate, fig, apricot, almond, orange. Taken care of by our ancestors to garnish with pine nuts memories for our descendants. Use olive oil every day, many times a day… …lest we be eaten away.
