Almost all of the family! (My mother is standing, second from the left).
Sittee (Grandma) Hasna
TETA'S SONG
by Dima Hilal
Food was our god
and she taught me how to pray
each lavish dish prepared,
every sizzle, every bubbling sauce,
every touch of nutmeg flung
with practiced toss over lamb,
chicken, the meat of choice,
echoed in the contours of her heart;
the melody, its faithful beat, as much for me
as to distribute blood throughout her veins
she would sneak food onto my dish
when my head was turned away,
an onion propelled from across the table
would land perfectly on my plate,
to add that extra flavor
"you like it with the green beans"
was the simply stated response to my accusing frown; but it was no use,
she would drown her squash in tomato juice
and me, with unwavering attention
in her eyes, I would forever stay a child
and for me she's still, my
guardian angel-grandmother
Dima Hilal is a poet and writer, born in Beirut, Lebanon. Her work has appeared in many publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Mizna literary journal, and The Poetry of Arab Women: A Contemporary Anthology. She can contacted at:
Sittee doing the debke at a family party.
Jiddee (Grandfather) Paul's nuclear family. He is the boy in the middle. (This photo was taken in Lebanon)
Jiddee babysitting me! Cards or backgammon anyone?
