Bridging Poem Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Bridging poem

Too many times I faced,
And heard the same question:
"How can you, Iranian,
Be seen as Northwestern? "

They cannot digest the relation
Between me, Cree, and others:
"Siblings? Indigenous of here? "

Yes, of course, I tell them:
"We follow same culture! "

Guess I can explain,
If we, read, together,
Of Denise Lajimodiere.

She talks of hot summer,
And about cold winter,
Collecting the berries,
As well as their patties…

No need to compare them,
Since, when child,
We did the exact same.

Mother and grannies
Made patties,
All of us went out and
Collected mulberries.

Do I need to talk more?
Came along New Faiths,
Destroyed our past, ways!

So, we are first cousins,
Brothers and sisters,
Relatives, borderless…

Based on this, I, too, am
Northwestern Indigenous,
I feel their losses, pains.