arrivals gate

At the arrivals gate a family gathers.
A few curious onlookers stop to see.
No royalty here, no armed guard just
a donkey and her colt carrying a sole
figure.  From Bethany perhaps where
wine, bread and olives were shared
before for this journey.  Another gate
not so far away soldiers come to keep
the peace they said but you can’t keep
what you never had.  Armed guards and
courtiers accompany those who wash their
hands with sanctions over the violence of others.