Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE DONKEY by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN FISHES FLEW AND FORESTS WALKED
Last Line: AND PALMS BEFORE MY FEET.
Subject(s): ASSES & MULES; BIBLE; JESUS CHRIST; PALM SUNDAY; RELIGION; MULES; THEOLOGY;

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.



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