A poem that looks at a common animal in a weird way

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked

        And figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood

       Then surely I was born;

 

With monstrous head and sickening cry

       And ears like errant wings,

The devil's  walking parody

       On all four-footed things.

 

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

      Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

       I keep my secret still.

 

Fools! For I also had my hour;

        One far fierce hour and sweet:

There was a shout about my ears,

        And palms before my feet.

                                                            G.K. Chesterton.