The fig tree

After Mark 11:1-14

Hungry, he spies a tree,

a fig tree in full leaf,

suggestive of branches

hanging heavy with fruit.

He searches, but the tree

offers nothing, yields nothing

but leaves, an appearance only,

an invitation without substance,

a mirage, a fraud

and so the curse.

From the cursed fig

to the temple, with its appearance

of wealth and wisdom and worship

but nothing but appearance, a fraud,

a mirage,

and so it joins its brother,

the fig tree.

Photograph by Lynn Greyling via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

And the palms

After Mark 11:1-14

Gathered from the fields,

collected and carried

to the procession of the king

riding, entering his city,

unlike any conqueror previous

but a conqueror nonetheless,

The palm branches, waving

in the sunlight, spread across

the road ridden by the king,

designed to recognize, to honor,

to celebrate, to revere, to welcome

the rider on his way to the place

of sacrifice.

Photograph by Scott Webb via Unsplash. Used with permission.

The donkey

After Mark 11:1-14

Not a stallion or other

variation on a horse

not a chariot or even

a cart, not anything

they expected but:

a donkey,

and not only a donkey

but a donkey

previously unridden,

never before ridden

never before worked

or used

and that is the point

The donkey to be used first

to carry the king, the messiah,

the one foretold, the one anticipated,

the one desired and yearned for

riding a donkey

confounding expectations

contradicting expectations

a king riding a donkey

the animal used for hard work

the animal whose strength

is used to serve.

Photo by Laura Gariglio via Unsplash, Used with permission.