Cree Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Cree

No, I am not Cree
But I am angry
Born near Sepaphan
In centre of Iran.

My city has changed name
To be called "Isfahan, "
Just because the Arabs
Did not have the "P" sound!

With the sword of Islam
People were brainwashed.
We, all, say: "Isfahan! "

No, am not a Persian
Persians are part of us,
As people of Iran.

Here, in Canada
I face the fallen jaws:
"You were born far away,
Lived, grew with culture
Unknown to Cree and Ojibwe."

Hair stands on its tail
That I am defender…

Open eyes, you people
I too have descended,
Of tree, Zoroaster's.

He believed man, woman
(First man was Kiomarth)
Together, shared same birth,
Twisted, made trunk as braid,
That tree, parented humans.

Cree is imposed name
Like for me, Isfahan,
So, we are together
And share our joy, anger.