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.
Artwork by May Grabli
