What God has done

Haiku of abundant love

The Lord is gracious;

I will tell what God has done

to bless their people.

God has favoured us,

though we did not deserve it,

because of His love.

My people are true,

honest. God saves her people;

in all their distress.

We’re all God’s people,

you, me, the Muslim, Hindu,

the agnostic, too.

God needs no angel,

divine messenger; God’s

presence alone saves.

Reaching out in love,

God redeems us, lifts us up,

carries us forward.

© Ken Rookes 2022

For every purpose

Haiku of reflection

For everything

there is a season; a time

for ev’ry purpose.

All things have their time

Beginnings and endings; birth

death, dancing, mourning.

A time to let go,

to plant, to love, to embrace;

a time to make peace.

A time for silence

and a time to raise your voice;

let’s not keep quiet.

We’re all growing old.

Don’t fight it, live faithfully.

Your life is God’s gift

We must all accept

the bad alongside the good.

Life is a mixture.

For what do you toil?

Life is full, life is busy;

make the most of it.

We study the past

and we ponder the future;

mystery remains.

Be happy, enjoy

your life. Eat, drink, take pleasure;

your life is God’s gift.

© Ken Rookes 2022

They walked in darkness

 Haiku for illumination

They walked in darkness,

languishing, all hope was lost;

but light is coming.

We were blanketed

in deep darkness, but on us

God’s light is dawning.

We can now rejoice,

like when the harvest is good,

or sharing the loot!

Our heavy burdens

are lifted; our subjection

has come to an end.

Our blood-stained garments,

our oppressors’ boots, become

fuel for the fire.

A child has been born

for us, he shall reign for God

as our Prince of Peace.

Endless peace is ours;

the Lord of hosts will do this,

ruling with justice.

© Ken Rookes 2022

A young woman is with child

 

Haiku of promise

Ahaz will not ask

the Lord for a sign. A sign

will still be given.

A girl will conceive,

she shall give birth to a son

called Immanuel.

Teenage girl, swelling

with wonder and life; marker

of life, joy and hope.

Children speak to us

of blessings, spirit, beauty,

duty and promise.

This child is unique,

turning away from evil

and choosing the good.

We ask for a sign

but it is there before us.

Rise up and seek God!

© Ken Rookes 2022

Joy and singing

Haiku for a blooming desert

When God’s Redeemed come

back to Zion, deserts burst

forth with joy and song.

The celebration;

a measure of God’s glory,

here, with God’s people.

Be strong, do not fear;

your God is here. God will come

and God will save you.

Blind eyes will open

and deaf ears will be unstopped.

The lame leap like deer!

In the wilderness

water will spring up, and streams

flow in the desert.

Life will be God’s gift

in the desert, and among

people ev’ry where.

God will make a way

for the faithful. To a realm

of safety and hope.

The song continues

with God’s people rejoicing

in God’s grace and love.

© Ken Rookes 2022