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.
