Lent Week 6: Under Zion's Palms

Under Zion's Palms

(Lent Week Six)

Week's first day

Streets thronging, full—

He waited outside 

The city gate

For the foal,

The donkey's colt,

To ride upon

Under Zion's palms

Snorting and shy

Came the beast,

A cloak upon

His unbroken back—

The Master mounted,

The people-sea parted,

A way prepared

Under Zion's palms

'Hosannas' rose up,

Palms waved high,

Garments spread down,

And men cried,

'Save us now!'

Blessing the King

Coming from God

Under Zion's palms

Angry Pharisees spat,

'Silence these men'

But He replied,

'The very stones

Would sing out

A mighty chorus

Were they silent

Under these palms'

Cresting a ledge,

He looked out

Over belovéd Zion—

There He wept

A bitter brine

Over a people

Blind in heart

Under those palms

In mere days

The very men

Who cried 'Hosanna!'

Would shout 'Crucify!'

He would die,

No cloak upon

His broken back,

Outside Zion's palms.