palm sunday

the crowd gathers in,

eager, excited, waiting

for the arrival

of the champion.

eyes strain. necks crane. suddenly —

here he is! he’s come!

excited whispers

build into roars of welcome.

flung clothes pave the street.

the man of the hour

appears at last … and somehow

different in life

than their mental images

led them to expect.

see, Jerusalem

your king comes to you humble,

riding a donkey.