Haiku for those who wrestle
Night time, going home.
Jacob takes wives, maids, children;
crosses Jabbok ford.
Sending them further
across the stream, Jacob stays
behind, all alone.
A stranger turns up.
They wrestle, (why wouldn’t they?)
They wrestle ‘til dawn.
The man does not win.
He is clever, strikes Jake’s hip,
dislocating it.
The man says. Let go!
Dawn breaks, and I must depart!
You must bless me first.
The man asks his name.
You will not be called Jacob.
You’ll be Israel.
Israel: God strives.
You have striven with many,
and God, and prevailed.
Name yourself, asks Jake.
Why do you ask? He answered.
Then he blessed Jacob.
I have seen God’s face
and yet have lived! Jacob named
the place, ‘Peniel.’
© Ken Rookes 2023
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