Stir

Where else can a Palestinian sit with a Jew, break ekmek together and laugh and cry and as the Imam wails holy words even Mohammed would be proud of?

Where the heart begs like the child of a Chinese whore running after a dollar from each man passer-by calling them "daddy", a chase he will never win, until perhaps one day he understands...under a tuft of gray hair, that we all are.

American, dragging on second-hand smoke. Nearby the Turk and Chinaman traders. Am I Abi to all? Oh, how I long to jump into the pit of humanity to be seen as mere clay, soil to water, river to riverbed. Why has Khalil left me with such consequences when I can relate it all and could be killed for it. What trick love of man that tests all strength and story.

I stir my chai...rest my spoon. What is sweet always settles at the bottom. Bitter or sweet god is in every sip.

Move to Raki with me or I will share kebab with you...who cares as long as we do things simply, together. I want only to be here with you, to meet god in your eyes, no matter the face or color or smell or clothes. I can barely understand a word you say in any language, even my own tongue so let's use them as a past-time if we must. Make laughter until we burst at the ribs, drunk with it, spinning like the Dervish on your wall, the center of chaos, the center.

Guangzhou, I have found such an unlikely home in your smog, but now it is a cloud and my heaven of humanity.

Ding, ding ding! The chef slaps the bell barking, "Doner"!

A suited Chinese girl rushes up and darts away as fast as she came with the hot plate to the next hungry table.

The clanking of my teaspoon in my Turkish tea rises above the soothing static of 20 languages trying to understand each other. Rises above them all to meet with clanking teaspoons from every corner of the restaurant. A high pitched reminder of the bitter and sweet we are all about to share...an unnoticed heart begging to connect.

So stir. Stir your tea loudly any time of day and without hesitation or fear. It is the call for everyone to meet for the great feast.

[From the Istanbul Turkish Restaurant & BBQ House 2F No. 318 Huanshi Donglu, Guangzhou, China tel: 8359 6767]

*abi - brother

*ekmek - bread

*Khalil - Gibran

*raki - licorice alcohol