Dedicated to my grandparents:
Mardiros and Kagazig Godoshian and Giragos and Annig Kabodian
Sometimes I forget
they lived with the pain of their parents’ murders
no safety net, no example, no peace
life was of their making
with a daily pain remembered
Sometimes I forget
they were so young and came so far
it could have been any place
but they settled here
led to this more perfect place
Sometimes I forget
they spoke from their hearts
but were not understood
for their words were foreign
this new land distrustful
Sometimes I forget
they coped with little
provided for many
complained minimally
praised the Lord
They laughed, sang, danced, hugged
life
with a hope unspoken:
my life.
Aram Kabodian
11/20/1999