I’m into all that sappy stuff – a surprise picnic, nice dinner, or traveling. I’m kind of an old romantic.” Will Estes

This is a repost in honor of the day. See the notes at the end of the post for explainations of the Arabic words.

♥

habibi, what of the slow, simple meals

the Omar Khayyám meals

of foods organic to this land

assembled by our four hands

a few plump figs, some jiben, a little wine

- good conversation -

just you and me

with

sparkling moments of sometimes silent camaraderie

at breakfast a grilled fish

roasted potatoes

purple grapes

a Turkish coffee or two

helwah* for me, wahsat* for you

- at dinner -

let’s savor our well-spent day

along with stuffed grape leaves

a sliced tomato or two

and

spice our simple meal with

red satin kisses

pregnant with promise

simmering, sizzling in the air

over

a table simply set with rough cloth, terra-cotta, pewter

a froth of wild white roses

- and -

light the candles, habibi

___

© 2010, Jamie Dedes All rights reserved Photograph courtesy of Andrew Schmidt, Public Domain Pictures.net. *Note: from the Arabic: habibi, sweetheart (male); jiben, a firm white Syrian cheese; halwah, very sweet coffee; wahsat, slightly sweet coffee. **”A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread — and Thou…” The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám