A Donkey Heart // Palm Sunday
Divine Study - Part 1
A donkey heart’s a humble thing
O plant one in me Lord I pray
Lest pride should well up like a spring.
A donkey heart’s a humble thing,
Like hers who served by carrying
His Highness in without a bray;
A donkey heart’s a humble thing
O Plant one in me Lord I pray.
-N.C-J, 2025
Donkeys are a quintessential humble animal in folklore and myth. They also are portrayed at times depressed, stubborn, ugly, and foolish; in general, sidekick behaviour. I latch on to animals and characters like this on purpose, as a premeditative ward against pride. I think I hide it quite well on the outside (tell me if I’m wrong, irl friends), but I think I’ve always had a streak of self-righteousness and/or pride that would be a real problem if I was very rich or handsome. In preparation for the loads of money and fame I’m sure to make here in the lucrative poetry corner of substack, I’ve chosen the donkey as a mascot.
I love the detail of the donkey fetched to carry Jesus in to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Such a symbolic and memorable moment, if brief. Other poets have captured this moment as well, G.K. Chesterton in his own very G.K. sort of manner, and Mary Oliver in a poem that I think also captures her essence.1 I’m not sure if I, like Jesus, want to ride on a donkey to stay humble, or if in fact I am the donkey that carries Him around, and folks don’t notice me at all. Either way.
This poetic form is called a triolet. I really love how it can become so like a prayer, and I worked that in explicitly in the verse. The form is wonderfully memorizable, and handy for repeating in times when pride does indeed surprise me.
In the days before I started my blog, I lurked around the halls of substack, reading the works of various poets who have been here longer. Lots of wonderful writers have and continue to be found, but one of my favourite discoveries was a contest curated by
centered around the triolet. Here is the call to arms with some fun examples, and here are the winners (highly recommend). Not only did I follow many of those who entered or won, but was inspired to write my own.2 If you’re want more examples of, this is an interesting breakdown of the form by which includes his own great verses.Thank you for reading and commenting! Let me know what you think.
Who is your favourite Donkey in fiction, myth, or scripture? Mine may be Puzzle from The Last Battle.
I have to capitalize on the current surge in triolet popularity, so stay tuned for more triolet action next week.
Great, triolet, Nick. A good perspective and I think an appropriate one. The world tends to love its stallions, but there's a cross on the back of donkeys to commemorate their carrying of Christ.
really enjoyed this. I've never written a triolet, I need to try it!!