Listen Well Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Listen Well

Will always walk head up.
Bows, kneeling, is enough.

Must behave like a tree
-and stand on my feet.

You named them:
-Cholo and Cholita,
-Savage and Squaw,
-or Nigger, Negrita…

You did so, to shatter
-and bring replacement
-converting to homeless
-who would call you:
- "Master" or "Sahib! "

Then, called me:
"Giveh-Pa! "

Listen, you, the pale face
-whose skin can't cover
-your ugly winding veins…

Listen, you, blue-eyed,
-brunet and blonde,
-or Yankee, Gringo…

I know me very well;
I am not your target,
I remain the eagle,
I fly over crests...

I rather being me
- (A proud Giveh-pa,)
-who spins his own wheel,
-and lives with the goat milk.

Do not make a mistake
The talk is not of hate
I am not your slave!