Chesterton's "The Donkey" - A Palm Sunday Reflection

The Collected Poems of G. K. Chesterton ^ | 1927 | GK Chesterton / Self

[Joe 6-pack]

The Donkey
~ 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.

[Joe 6-pack]

I always like to reflect on this poem on Palm Sunday. Most literary critics interpret this poem as a parody of ridiculously egotistical people with an inflated sense of self-importance, who feel compelled to place themselves at the center of every situation and make it about themselves...braying jackasses, to be sure.

I prefer a more charitable interpretation. I like to think that no matter our station in life, no matter how meager our beginnings or circumstances, we all find our greatest moments of glory when we do what Christ has called upon us to do regardless of how humble a task it may be. Just as the donkey found his finest hour in his mission to carry Christ into Jerusalem, we should all seek to fulfill whatever purpose we were created for.

Discuss :-)

[Twotone]

I’ve never read this poem. Your interpretation is what I came up with. I wonder what was meant be the first stanza. That one is a puzzle.

[Joe 6-pack]

IMHO, the first stanza does two things. It places the reader in a disjointed, unfamiliar, foreboding place and then identifies the donkey as a creature of that world, not the reader's world.

The second thing, I think Chesterton was doing was taking a subtle shot at the early 20th century embrace of scientism. Chesterton would probably be today, referred to as an intelligent design adherent. He was not outright opposed to evolutionary theory, but he was vehemently opposed to how the science was becoming the new theology, and pointed out how many scientists of his day were taking one piece of evidence and extrapolating definitive truths from it.

[floralamiss]

Thank you for your goodness. On this beautiful day, many FReepers and their families will be touched and inspired by Chesterton’s poem. Happy Palm Sunday to you and to all. May the Lord’s glorious spirit shine through all of our lives.

[Joe 6-pack]

And a blessed day to you and yours!!

[Pathfinder]

Thank you for posting a G.K.C. poem with which we were unfamiliar on this Holy Day.

It is. truly food for thought-which we are doing here now.

[Big Red Badger]

Interesting...
I’ll chew on this through out
The day....

[Mercat]

Our homily today was about the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem. He had seven ways that we should emulate the donkey.