promise kept

"'If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’”  Mark 11:3

the donkey came wandering

back later in the day, riderless,

a little less active than earlier,

with a slightly dazed look in its eyes,

and a blanket of grace

across its back to shawl its people

from the chill of death,

a palm branch woven in its bridle 

to be used as a broom to sweep

away fear's dust floating in the air,

and

a quick note from Jesus, 'much appreciated.

i'll be back to thank you in person

before you even realize i am gone.'

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman