The Donkey by Gilbert Keith 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.

From: http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/gkchesterton/bl-gkchesterton-donkey.htm

Date: 1900

By: Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)