“The Donkey”

“The Donkey” April 9, 2017

 

Gerome, Jesus entering J'lem
Jean-Léon Gérôme, “L’entrée du Christ à Jérusalem” (1897); Wikimedia Commons public domain

 

Just in time, before Palm Sunday is altogether over.

 

Virginia Brown kindly reminds me of this wonderful little poem:

 

THE DONKEY

BY G. K. CHESTERTON

When fishes flew and forests walked 
And figs grew upon thorn, 
Some moment when the moon was blood 
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry 
And ears like errant wings, 
The devil’s walking parody 
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth, 
Of ancient crooked will; 
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb, 
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour; 
One far fierce hour and sweet: 
There was a shout about my ears, 
And palms before my feet.

 

 


Browse Our Archives