Palm Sunday Poem and Paintings by Polly Castor

Hosanna! (pastel) by Polly Castor

Palm Sunday

Shouting, dancing,
waving, and cheering,
fronds euphoric,
the new world order
we’ve waited for is here,
although we didn’t expect
it to arrive on a donkey.
We thought it would be
a military coup,
trouncing the Romans.
This is freeing us instead
from sin and sickness!
This humility is a surprise,
and magnanimous too,
greeting us with
gentleness, meekness,
and a demand
to love our enemies?
This is not a righteous fight
as much as a full embrace
pregnant  with promise.
Is this real? Can this last?
Is it too good to be true?
Can it really overpower
all that is wrong?
It’s so different,
bigger and more profound
than we could ever
have imagined.
Rejoice! Exalt with hope
in the heralded deliverer!
Make smooth the way!
Our elated hearts
clamor to be included
in this new republic,
heaven at hand,
guaranteeing
goodwill
on earth.

PollyCastor
4/2/23

Palm Sunday (pastel) by Polly Castor