Saturday dolma vespers

Gather to
witness cleansing of
blood tomatoes and
green peppers,
ground beef kneaded
wholesome head bowed
rice grains studding open
cavities salted stuffed
in a pot over flame
broth softening to
fill our bellies from the
belly of her daughter,
basil flakes of lost
highland flowers
Crushed.
“կեր, կեր”* she’d say
stroking our hair as the
vapor rested moist on our faces
in the sanctuary
she stoked for us,
Feeding.

*Pronounced “ger, ger” meaning “eat, eat” in Armenian