I Feel Like Indian Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

I feel like Indian

With the leaf in my mouth I feel as Indian
Tobacco for them is part of the religion
I took it with respect, looked at it
Then kissed it and with my eye
This touch was for respect
Later put on my tongue
And it’s still remained
I cannot take it out.
It is scared shrine
It had remained
In heart, mind
I feel me being an Indian as I did with Coca


Oruro was the town and the time was at dawn
Came coca, alcohol and fire had been set in the cold
We took leaves with two hands and raised it to our eyes
That was sign of respect “You’re great and sacred”
Then we put in the mouth, wetted to extract and its juice
Like blood in body circulates and cleans
I liked it with heart, mind

I felt an Indian

In Peru with ploough
After bulls that plowed
I walked and had coca
I laid it in the soil
With the bean seed, crop
“Be blessed and grow”
We prayed and prayed
I liked it in heart, mind.

I felt like Indian.

And I’m proud.