The Donkey | A poem by G.K. Chesterton, 1900

Child with a small white donkey in Sana’a, Yemen

The Donkey

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.”

G.K. Chesterton, 1900

Palm Sunday, commemorates Jesus’ humble entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem to observe Passover. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honor Jesus.

Also:
Book//mark – The Man Who Was Thursday | G. K. Chesterton (1908)