By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2020

First published in Studio in its October, 2020 issue

A simple, pastoral tribe raising cattle and goats,
Warrior rite of passage held with glorious notes,
Unspoiled by riches, but rich in joyous song,
Clad in bright red robes, fearless and strong;

Living within a stunning Kenyan reserve,
in harmony with nature, taking pains to preserve,
Their peaceful, communal way of life,
Full of mutual respect, devoid of strife;

One day a fellow warrior returned to tell,
The story of 9-11, how the World Trade Center fell,
His stunned tribe listened in horror and said,
We must show solidarity, following where our hearts are led;

The tribal elders presented America their most sacred gift,
To show compassion and its grieving people, uplift,
Fourteen cows that defined their tribal wealth,
Central to their peoples’ lives and to their health;

This moved the minds and hearts of the U.S.A.,
who did not know at first how to repay,
Their inspiring act of kindness and generosity,
Giving the most possible, despite their cows’ paucity;

Ultimately, America decided to bless each cow,
Using the fruits of its offspring to endow,
A Maasai village with fourteen scholarships,
To pass on the lesson that none could eclipse.