Tocaña Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Tocaña

Miguel is Michael
Black, American born, a father
Math graduate; taught as teacher
'Mom' he called from a border
'I'm leaving to Mexico; the USA.'

Si no hay coca no hay vida
'No hay coca con Dios
No hay coca con Dios, hay vida mia
.......................................................
Yeniente que esta parado no hago valer'.

Michael hears as Miguel; doesn't get

He knows
He, the Michael Miguel
No one else
None of freed slaves in USA
None of Coroico's freed slaves

Only Michael knows; the Miguel

And talks behind him
Back at home vary
From talks where he lives
One speaking English
Other does in Spanish
Two tongues; colonialists'

Both black slaves, possible
Separated from same parents
In Africa; sometime by hunters

Who cares what the talks are
In Africa, in USA and Bolivia

All what is said is rumor
Guessing guesses; no more