A Poem for Palm Sunday

Alongside the rosary, I often find poetry- whether religious or entirely secular- a really powerful way of thinking and reflecting.  For Palm Sunday, a longtime favourite of mine is this GK Chesterton classic.  A reminder of the central role of the humble beast the donkey on that great day...

The Donkey

(by GK Chesterton 1874- 1936.  Published in 1900) 

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.