Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar. –Percy Bysshe Shelley

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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.

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Despite all his faults, this donkey was used by God for the most triumphant arrival in history. I think the delight I felt at the end came from suddenly knowing exactly which particular donkey was telling his story!

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Loveliest of Trees

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.

Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodland I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow. 

A. E. Housman (1859-1936)

A blooming cherry tree brings the transient nature of life to the thoughts of a young man. This poem references life and death, the march of time, the fleeting nature of beauty and pleasure. The last word takes us even up to winter. So enough talk, we must take action to absorb all the beauty we can while we still have time.

Whether you relate more to a donkey or a blooming cherry tree, you can know that God can use you for his purpose and time is short.

If you enjoyed these poems, go find a poem book in your house and read some more. Poems are a great way to keep reading even if you are busy or distracted. You can open a poem book and find quick inspiration or new thoughts to refresh your mind. April is National Poetry Month!

–Liz