MIAMI, Florida
United States
Xavier, New Orleans
University of Miami
Miami, FL
New Orleans
Liberia, West Africa
The only way to go is up!
Walking in Their FootstepsMaasai (5/13/98)
So, he stood watching
as we left the bus, the three of us,
American women in African attire,
trying to blend in while touring
the Tanzania countryside.
Pride poured from his pores,
as confident self-identity.
The how and what
we strived to be. This noble Maasai
tribesman, spear and shield in hand,
full native dress of animal skins,
impressed us no end. Yet, he,
also Mother's gentle son,
never fanned away pesky flies
hovering near his eyes. Not even one.
We fantasized. Did he slay
a lion last night to protect
his family, his village? Or,
did he with tribal brothers
pillage the nearby wealthy
estate as we'd read in a tabloid
on some forgotten date?
He approached. We tried
not to stare. But, obviously,
he didn't care. This was his
country, his territory. What
exciting tale he'd tell aroused
our already rampant curiosity.
Verbosity was not one
of his traits, silent
warrior, he. A soft smile
slowly crawled across his face
as he posed ramrod straight
before my friends and me.
Then, he uttered those few words
and the bubble burst. Reality
crushed illusion. We giggled
just a little, trying to mask
our sudden confusion.
This warrior brother
of the Motherland spoke
not in Swahili or some
exotic Maasai cant, but in
a veddy, veddy, uppah, uppah
British accent.
His words I'll never forget
and neither will my companions,
to our chagrin. For said he
in his Oxford-educated way,
I say, are you ladies American?
During my tour as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, W. Africa, I visited East Africa, namely Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Zanzibar. We traveled by bus between countries. This is a recollection of meeting a Maasai tribesman in Tanzania who had been hired to pose in tribal dress for tourists. He'd recently returned to his homeland from his studies at Oxford University in England.
This was excellant!! I could hardly wait to see what the noble tribesman would say to you, but when he had a British accent I don't see how you kept a straight face. I know going to Africa must have been an "over the top" experiance for you. It is the one place I would love to visit. Thank you for sharing
Judy,
I really loved your poem. We have known each other too long. Of, I can't hear because I didn't know that you were a Peace Corp volunteer. You know that is one of my dreams. I have filled out numerous Peace Corp applications and have yet to take the next step. I am so proud to know you. Karean
BTW, your journal is on the front page of the Online Community if you didn't know it.
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