27 followers

1/2

0 saved

[Verse 1] Got a Spanish last name But I never left

[Verse 1]

Got a Spanish last name

But I never left the plains

Granddad’s papers say “adopted”

That’s how it got engraved

New village on the letterbox

But the bloodline’s old and strange

German grit and Irish rain

Tribal smoke inside my veins

[Chorus]

New village on my tongue

Old spirits in my lungs

They all poured bottles

I just pack bowls

THC the key

Unlocks my soul

When I breathe it in slow

I can hear them all speak

Saying

“Change the story

But carry our grief”

[Verse 2]

They told me “watch the whiskey boy

It’s written in your bones”

Statues carved from stereotypes

Lined up like gravestones

I passed the bar

I passed the glass

I chose a different fire

Green in my palm like a little prayer

Ritual

Not desire

[Chorus]

New village on my tongue

Old spirits in my lungs

They all poured bottles

I just pack bowls

THC the key

Unlocks my soul

When I breathe it in slow

I can hear them all speak

Saying

“Change the story

But carry our grief”

[Bridge]

I light up for the ones

Who never learned to heal

Sip by sip they disappeared

You can taste it in the field

So I sit with the smoke

Ask the hurt what it means

Turn the curse into counsel

Turn the ghosts into dreams

[Chorus]

New village on my tongue

Old spirits in my lungs

They all poured bottles

I just pack bowls

THC the key

Unlocks my soul

When I breathe it in slow

I can hear them all speak

Saying

“Change the story

But carry our grief”

3/27 Edited to

This poem uniquely blends themes of cultural identity, family history, and personal healing through the symbolic use of THC. From my own experience, embracing one’s heritage—no matter how complex or mixed—can be a powerful source of self-discovery. The line "Got a Spanish last name but I never left the plains" resonates deeply, capturing how names carry stories that don’t always align with where we physically or emotionally belong. The poem’s focus on "THC the key" as a spiritual and healing tool highlights an increasingly common practice. Many people today are turning to cannabis not merely for recreation but as a mindful ritual to unlock emotional wounds and process inherited grief. I have found that when used responsibly, such rituals can provide a calm space to connect with inner feelings and ancestral memories much like the poet describes. Moreover, the poem’s respect for different cultural roots—"German grit and Irish rain", alongside Native tribal heritage—reflects how we live with multiple identities and histories. It’s a reminder that our personal narratives aren’t just our own; they carry the grief, strength, and wisdom of those before us. Acknowledging this interconnectedness allowed me to better understand my family’s past and find compassion for unresolved hurts. Lastly, the poem’s imagery of changing the story while carrying grief feels like a call to transform pain into strength. Through rituals like "packing bowls" with intention, people can find a balance between honoring legacy and creating new paths forward. This delicate interplay of history, healing, and modern ritual creates a rich, meaningful experience that many can relate to in today’s world.