A capable wife

Haiku of exceptional virtue

A celebration of

womanhood. The bar is high,

some find it daunting.

No mere appendage,

this woman is capable,

independent, too.

She is resourceful,

skilful, does ev’rything – more

– that a man might do

This amazing wife

never rests, organises

her house with aplomb.

Filled with charity,

industrious, making warm

clothes for her household.

At the city gates

her husband is found, sitting

among the elders.

This woman is strong.

She is clothed in dignity,

kindness and wisdom.

Blessed by her children

and praised by her husband: You

surpass all women!

Charm is deceitful,

beauty passes; she who fears

God is to be praised.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Wisdom calls

 

Haiku for the wise

Calling in the street,

Wisdom cries out for wisdom,

‘stead of ignorance.

How long will they choose

foolishness, how long will they

despise the science?

How long will they make

a virtue of ignorance;

taking pride in it?

I stretched out my hand,

says wisdom, to offer you

counsel; you refused.

Disaster awaits

you, but you have made your choice.

I’ll laugh at your plight.

Calamity comes,

and they’ll call to me for help;

but I’ll ignore them.

They chose ignorance

over the fear of the Lord.

Such stupidity!

They have rejected

Wisdom’s counsel; let them eat

Futility’s fruit.

They have turned away

from God’s wisdom to the path

of death, destruction.

But those who listen

to Wisdom will be secure,

finding peace, not fear.

© Ken Rookes 2024

A good name

 

Haiku of reputation and regard

Is a good name still

better than riches, in this

get-all-you-can world?

To have little wealth

but a good reputation;

I hope I’d choose that.

To have good regard;

better than silver or gold?

Not all would concur.

The rich and the poor

owe their existence to God.

Remind them of that!

Those who are unjust,

will reap the consequences

of their perfidy.

Generous people

will find blessing as they share

their bread with the poor.

God watches over

the poor; you who exploit them

will be made to pay.

……………………………………….

Reputations don’t

seem to matter much these days,

bad people still rule.

© Ken Rookes 2024

A song of love

Haiku for Spring

Springtime rhapsody,

the name of this love poem

here, in my bible.

Look! A young stag bounds

leaping mountains; imaging

masculinity.

The stag stands beyond

the wall, gazing at windows,

entranced by the view.

My beloved speaks

his invitation: Arise

my love, come with me!

The winter retreats,

withdrawing its rain; flowers

emerge from the earth.

Listen to the birds!

The fig tree produces fruit,

fecundity rules!

Fragrant vines blossom.

They call: Arise my fair one,

my love; come away!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Solomon prays

Haiku for a dedication

Solomon offers

his prayer of dedication

having built God’s house.

Before God’s altar

in the presence of Israel,

the King spread his hands.

There is none like you,

Lord, in heaven or on earth;

keeping your promise.

You told my father,

David, that his successors

would sit on his throne.

God, you dwell on earth

by grace; we don’t imagine

this house contains you.

Hear my prayer, O Lord,

watch over this house, hear us;

listen and forgive.

When foreigners come

and offer prayers in this place,

listen to them, too.

All people of earth

shall know your name and fear you,

coming here to pray.

© Ken Rookes 2024

An understanding mind

 Haiku for a succession

David’s reign ended

with his death; he was buried

in Jerusalem.

His rule had been long,

forty years in all. His reign

brought stability.

Solomon followed

David as king.. We are told

that he loved the Lord.

Seeking God’s favour,

Solomon burns incense, makes

many offerings.

God speaks in a dream.

What do you ask of me, now

that you reign as king?

Solomon answers:

You were good to my father;

look upon my youth.

I would rule wisely

and govern well; grant me an

understanding mind.

The Lord is well pleased.

You asked for wisdom; granted,

you’ll have it in spades.

As well a wisdom

I’ll give you honour and wealth;

there’ll be none like you.

I’ll give you long life,

too, if you walk in my ways,

like your father did.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Absalom, my son!

 

Haiku of a father’s love.

Absalom rebelled

against his Father, reaching

out to grab the throne.

Much blood had been spilled.

David’s forces were winning;

Spare my son, he said.

The battle was fierce,

the slaughter, great. Absalom

flees upon his mule.

Hanging by his hair,

Absalom’s enemies come;

show him no mercy.

They bring a report

to David: May all your foes

be like that young man!

He retreats, weeping.

Absalom, my son! I would

have died in your place!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Not getting away with it

Haiku reminding us that even kings are not meant to be above the law.

With Uriah dead

Bathsheba mourned for him, then

moved in with David.

Bathsheba married

David, gave birth to a son.

God was not impressed.

Nathan, the prophet

shows up, and tells a story;

more a parable.

Two men, rich and poor.

Poor man has a much loved lamb;

the rich man takes it.

David is angry.

That rich man deserves to die!

He had no pity!

You’re the man, David!

God’s given you ev’rything,

you have done evil!

You had Uriah

killed, you took his wife as yours.

The Lord has judged you.

The sword will not leave

your house; you have despised me

in your wicked deeds.

From within your house,

strife; your wives will be taken

where all can witness.

You sinned in secret,

but your shame will be exposed

before all the land.

I have sinned! David

declares. Yes, but you won’t die;

God has let it go.

© Ken Rookes 2024

A man of honour

Haiku of exposure

David was a cad,

and worse; it can’t be denied.

Power, corruption.

The season of spring,

and the army is away;

what’s a king to do?

Bathing on the roof;

he saw her. She was gorgeous.

David was lustful

He enquired, found out

her name. Married? No problem,

Bring her to me, now.

You can guess the rest.

Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife,

sends word: I’m pregnant!

David pens a note

to his general, Joab.

Send me Uriah.

Tell me Uriah,

how goes the war? It goes well.

Good; go to your house!

Uriah remains

at the palace. His honour

won’t let him go home.

The ark and army

are in tents. Will I go home

and lie with my wife?

Uriah returns.

The note reads: Place at the front,

then draw back from him.

We expect better

from our leaders. King David,

you are a disgrace!

Power, honour: not

impossible partners, but

seldom together.

© Ken Rookes 2024