THE DONKEY by G.K. Chesterton

Here is a poem that's probably a lot more accessible than the previous one. It's also the first thing I ever read by Chesterton. It was assigned by Fr. Becker.

You can't tell from this picture, but most donkeys have a black cross on their backs. Legend says that this mark was put there by God in honor of the donkey that Christ rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

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.