I was pretty young when I first read this poem, I think it may have endeared me to G.K. Chesterton, unknowingly. I still am very moved by it.
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.
n/a
Source:
The Collected Poems of G. K. Chesterton
(Dodd Mead & Company, 1927)
2 comments:
Some writing is timeless.
Dear Irene! I love G.K. Chesterton. Not enough folks appreciate him. Great poem. xoxo
Post a Comment