Is This A Suitable Poem For The Start Of Holy Week?

[sandyRoe]

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.

[boxtops]

Sandy, thank you for this - it's a wonderful poem, one which I learned at primary school, and which I had forgotten about now.

I like donkeys - kind and gentle beasts.

[Zacs-Master]

And, if the open is to be believed, rather a distorted belief in their own status.

[sandyRoe]

But the last verse speaks of every dog, and donkey, having its day. I find that thought rather cheering.

[viv38]

Love this poem sandy and love donkeys x

[boxtops]

I don't understand Zacs' comment. The "I" refers to the donkey, and explains what is felt (according to the narrator, the donkey) to be its hideous origin.

[Tilly2]

It's a very apt poem for Palm Sunday, sandy.

[whirlyhurly]

I remember I poem learnt at school by Walter de la Mere :
Nicholas Nye was lean and grey
Lame of a leg and old
More than a score of donkey's years
He had seen since he was foaled
He munched the thistle purple and spiked
Would sometimes stoop and sway
And turn his head as if he said "Poor Nicholas Nye"