Poetry Wednesday, Vol. 41

From Jerusalem Sonnets, Sonnet 36

James K. Baxter


Brother Ass, Brother Ass, you are full of fancies,
You want this and that - a woman, a thistle,

A poem, a coffeebreak, a white bed, no crabs;
And now you complain of the weight of the Rider

Who will set you free to gallop in the light of the sun!
Ah well, kick Him off then, and see how you go

Lame-footed in the brambles; your disconsolate bray
Is ugly in my ears - long ago, long ago,

The battle was fought and the issue decided
As to who would be King - go on, little donkey

Saddled and bridled by the Master of the world,
Be glad you can distinguish not an inch of the track,

That the stones are sharp, that your hide can itch,
That His true weight is heavy on your back.