Tattered Outlaw of the Earth

Arsen suggested that the comparison in the poem in the last post was perhaps not entirely fair to the humble donkey, so here's an alternative poem, by Chesterton, as a token of reparation to Equus africanus asinus.

The Donkey
by 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.