The finish

Haiku of the passion

An unnamed person

gives them a room to gather

for the special meal.

Sitting with his friends.

I shall not eat in this way

until the kingdom.

Take and share this cup;

I shall drink from it no more

‘til the kingdom comes.

Giving thanks, he broke

the bread, gave it to his friends:

This is my body.

They were arguing;

Who is the greatest? He spoke:

The greatest must serve.

The garden, praying.

Father, if it be your will,

take this cup from me.

They arrested him.

In the dark courtyard, Peter

denies his master.

You are a prophet!

Guards mock the blindfolded man:

Tell us who struck you!

The leaders ask him;

Are you the Christ? My answer

won’t matter; why ask?

Herod returns him

in a purple robe. Justice

is not his concern.

Pilate must decide.

For expedience, the man

receives his sentence.

Barabbas walks free.

He has drawn the lucky card.

Jesus stands condemned.

There, beyond the walls

he is crucified. Thieves form

a cruel symmetry.

Words of mockery

are met with words of welcome

and grace. The man dies.

© Ken Rookes 2022