Poem: The Dadeek’s Prayer

The Dadeek, grandmother of the clan—
Still dressed in the old ways,
The subservient ways,
In the days when her cross
Was hidden under cloth
That covered her head, chin, and neck,
And her prayers to God were silent,
Reverently gazes towards heaven,
Then closes her eyes for a moment
Before bringing her callused, weathered
Hands together in prayer—

Asdvats, yes Kez madagh leenem,
Marmeenus Kez madagh,
Mee tsak tsakeer es joghovortee vra,
Amboghch ashkharee vra,
Voreets hedo, eem yerekhaneree vra.
Asdvats, yes Kez madagh,
Dghaeed, aghchgad madagh,
Danud, dranud madagh,
Hand oo poochakheed madagh,
Dzereetsus ayd aghachankn eh galees,
Hargeer khntrankus. *

Never having learned to read and write,
Somehow, she knew what was in The Book
That echoes the Breath of God.
Somehow, she understood
The meaning of it all,
And, daily prayed—

God, let me be Your sacrifice,
Let my body be Your sacrifice,
Shine a ray of light on these people,
On the entire world,
After that, on my children.
God, let me be Your sacrifice,
Your son’s, Your daughter’s sacrifice,
Your home’s, Your door’s sacrifice,
Your field’s and corner’s sacrifice,
From my hands comes that plea,
Honor my beseech.

In a nearby field,
Under an oak tree,
Next to a Khachkar—a Cross Stone—
Children repeat
The Dadeek’s Prayer.

July, 2009

*This old Armenian prayer is said in Artsakh, and it comes from an oral tradition that still lives on.

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Knarik O. Meneshian

Knarik O. Meneshian was born in Austria. Her father was Armenian and her mother was Austrian. She received her degree in literature and secondary education in Chicago, Ill. In 1988, she served on the Selection Committee of the McDougal, Littell “Young Writers” Collection—Grades 1–8, an anthology of exemplary writing by students across the country.” In 1991, Knarik taught English in the earthquake devastated village of Jrashen (Spitak Region), Armenia. In 2002–2003, she and her late husband (Murad A. Meneshian), lived and worked as volunteers in Armenia for a year teaching English and computer courses in Gyumri and Tsaghgadzor. Meneshian’s works have been published in "Teachers As Writers, American Poetry Anthology" and other American publications, as well as Armenian publications in the U.S. and Armenia. Knarik is the author of A Place Called Gyumri: Life in the Armenian Mountains. She has also authored a book of poems titled Reflections, and translated from Armenian to English Reverend D. Antreassian’s book titled "The Banishment of Zeitoun" and "Suedia’s Revolt" She began writing at the age of 12 and has contributed pieces to The Armenian Weekly since her early teens.