Won't be who you want

Haiku for causing offence.

They spoke well of him.

impressed by the things he said,

gracious, filled with hope.

Local boy makes good!

We remember Joseph’s son;

yes, he’s one of us!

He can’t let it rest.

I’m not who you think I am,

won’t be who you want.

There are no home town

prophets. Their honour is found

in other places.

Elijah went not

to help Israel’s widows,

but one in Sidon.

Prophet Elisha

cleansed the Syrian leper;

none from Israel.

I’m no longer yours.

Other folk will find more faith,

receive the blessings.

In the synagogue

the people rise up with rage

at the things he said

They would have killed him,

thrown him down from the cliff top,

but they changed their minds.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Home town Nazareth

Haiku for returning.

Across Galilee

Jesus spoke of God’s good news;

the people listened.

They liked what he said,

and praised him for his message;

his words gave them hope.

Home town Nazareth:

he went to the synagogue

and stood up to read.

They gave him the scroll.

Prophet Isaiah. He found

the words, read them out.

The Spirit of God

rests on me, I bring good news

to those who are poor.

I proclaim release,

the recovery of sight,

freedom and blessings.

And then he sat down.

Today, he said, this scripture

is being fulfilled.

Today? Yes today!

You who hear these words this day,

lift your hearts, rejoice!

© Ken Rookes 2019

Oz day haiku 2019

In this wide scorched land

fear settles red, a dust film

smothering justice.

Who chose this dark day

of dispossession and death

for celebration?

© Ken Rookes 2019

Cana

Haiku of celebration

Coming together,

two people joining in love;

great celebration.

Gospel writer John

builds wonder right from the start:

spins his wedding yarn.

They were all present:

Jesus, his Mum, disciples;

for the wedding feast.

The Cana couple,

all bouquets and bridal waltz!

Then the wine gives out.

Mother Mary comes

with her high expectations.

My son, do something!

Son, Jesus, resists.

Why bring your request to me?

It isn’t my hour.

She tells the servants,

Do whatever he tells you.

Water jars are filled.

They draw some water,

take it to the chief steward.

What a splendid drop!

The good wine comes first,

the lesser when folk are drunk;

you’ve held back the best!

A kingdom image;

the inferior gives way

to the surpassing!

© Ken Rookes 2019

High expectations

Haiku of anticipation

High expectations

reverberate through Judah:

has the time arrived?

The baptising man;

we’ve been waiting for so long,

could he be the one?

They put it to him:

Are you the Christ-Messiah?

He answered them: No!

I wash with water

baptising to cleanse your sin;

he is so much more.

He comes bringing fire

to fill you with the Spirit;

set your hearts ablaze.

When the candidates

had all been baptised by John,

Jesus himself comes.

As he is praying

the doors of heaven open

Spirit-dove descends.

Heaven’s voice is heard,

(whisper, thunder, who can say?)

My beloved Son!

© Ken Rookes 2019