Harambe

Harambe, he enjoyed his life,

had nothing much to do.

He sat around and ate all day

in the Cincinnati Zoo.

-

Born in Texas in ninety-nine,

to Ohio then he went.

He only lived there sixteen months,

before his life was spent.

-

He was a massive silver back,

largest gorillas known.

He led and supervised his troop

like a king upon a throne.

-

Was destined to become a dad

when he had grown some more.

Mara and Chewie were his girls;

both of them he did adore.

-

One day there was a little boy,

who tried to get quite near.

He fell into Harambe's cage

and the folks began to fear.

-

He tried to save the boy that day.

Confused with all the din,

perhaps he was somewhat too rough

and thought that the boy was kin.

-

That little boy was standing there

when they shot Harambe dead.

He knew not what was happening,

he was not feeling dread.

-

The moral of this sad, sad tale

is don't get in a cage,

neither man nor 'savage' beast,

you'll both feel mankind's rage.

Terry Hoffman