The Modern Story

Life

by Lola Koundakjian

She dices the onions finely.

A construction worker, 25, falls to his death.

She adds the coriander, cloves and ginger.

A soldier, 21, walks over a roadside bomb.

She removes the meatballs from the fridge

A journalist, 43, gets shot thru the head.

She stirs the sauce over a low fire

and adds a few tears to the pot.

Lola Koundakjian's poetry has appeared online on GROONG and in print in the Armenian Weekly. She has interviewed visual artists, musicians and poets for the Armenian Reporter. Her book reviews have appeared in the Armenian Weekly.