Re(En)Vision Day 26: Zeina Azzam

 Dinnertime
 (original version)
  
  
 The forks to probe are where they belong.
 The knives for cutting rest on the right.
 The spoons for measuring don't know where
 to fit, and whether we need them anymore.
 
 Candles with black wicks, flowers
 from my garden,
 
 a goblet filled with wine
 from Cana, where my father walked.
 We can toast my family, Jesus's refugees.
 
 But this feast is about us, you and me.
 I invited you to my home, cracks in the plates
 and all.
  
  
 Originally published in Sukoon Magazine.
 © Zeina Azzam 2015. 

 

 Dinnertime
 (Re(en)visioned)
  
  
 The forks to probe, where they belong.
 What cuts rests on the right.
 
 Spoons might hold or judge
 or disappear.
 
 Old candles lit a second time,
 flowers from my garden,
 
 this goblet filled with wine
 like in Cana, where my father knew home.
  
 We can toast him and my mother,
 Jesus's refugees.
 
 But this is about us: you, me.
 I invited you here
  
 cracks in my plates
 and all.
  
  
 © Zeina Azzam 2020. 

Zeina Azzam is a Palestinian American poet, editor, and community activist. Her poems appear in many literary journals and anthologies. She works at a think tank in Washington, DC and lives in Alexandria, VA.

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