Monday, May 27, 2024

Listening and Telling

 

The first part of this sequence of haiku was published in January. I have reprinted it here, along with the second part published now. Together they tell the whole story of the boy Samuel’s encounter with God

Here I am

Haiku for a call


There, in the Temple

at Shiloh, boy Samuel

served under Eli.


For many years now

God has been silent. No word,

no visions, either.


Samuel, resting

in the temple, with the ark

of God, heard a voice.


Samuel! The voice

called twice. Here I am, he said,

and ran to Eli.


I did not call you,

said Eli. Lie down again.

This happened three times.


Eli realised

that ‘twas God calling the boy;

told Sam what to say.


The Lord came once more,

calling, Samuel! The boy

said, Speak, I’m list’ning..


When you’re just a kid

it must be daunting when God

calls you by your name.


Listening and telling

Haiku of punishment


Now he knows the rules

boy Samuel is able

to listen to God.


Bad news for Eli;

the corruption of his sons

has not gone unseen.


Punishment is nigh

for Eli’s house; there’s no way

he can avoid it.


Samuel’s anxious,

tries to keep it to himself,

doesn’t tell Eli.


Eli’s insistent.

What did the Lord say to you?

Hide nothing from me.


Samuel told all.

Fair enough, said Eli. God

will do what he must.


No point pretending,

Your deeds will catch up to you,

eventually.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Monday, May 20, 2024

Who will go for us?

Haiku for a calling.


A wondrous vision,

surprising, of God’s glory,

there, in the temple.


Isaiah sees God

high, upon God’s lofty throne,

seraphs attending.


Six wings per seraph,

two shielding face, two the feet,

and two giving flight.


The seraphs call; ‘Holy

to the Lord of hosts; the earth

fills with God’s glory!


The building shakes, filled

with incense smoke. Isaiah,

trembling, cries in fear.


Woe is me; I’m lost!

Sinfulness overwhelms me,

yet I have seen God!


A seraph flies down

with a coal from the altar,

touched it to his lips.


This has touched your lips

Your guilt is taken away,

your sin blotted out.


The Lord’s voice calls out:

Whom shall I send? He answers

Here am I; send me!


© Ken Rookes 2024


Monday, May 13, 2024

Suddenly a roar!

 Pentecost haiku


Seven week had passed.

His friends were all together,

gathered in one place.


Suddenly a roar

of rushing wind filled the house;

tongues of flame, resting.


Filled with the Spirit,

their tongues were released, speaking

other languages.


Outside in the street

the crowd from many nations

hear in their own speech.


They’re from Galilee,

yet we understand, as they

speak of God’s power!


Some ask, What means this?

Others scoff, sneering: they’re drunk

on too much new wine.


Peter stands up, speaks:

It’s too early to be drunk;

only nine a.m!


In the prophet, Joel,

we read how God will pour God’s

Spirit on all flesh.


Young folk, old folk, slaves,

men and women; they shall dream

dreams and see visions.


It is coming near,

the Lord’s day; when all who call

on God’s name are saved.


© Ken Rookes 2024



Monday, May 6, 2024

Which one?

Haiku for an ordered process


Calling a meeting

of the hundred and twenty,

Peter stood to speak.


Having defected,

Judas needs to be replaced.

Twelve is the number!


Some have been with them

since the beginning; from these

they select two men.


Joseph, Matthias,

these two are likely prospects.

They pray, and cast lots.


Lord, show us which one

you have chosen to serve Christ

as an apostle.


The lot fell upon

Matthias. He was brought in

to make up the twelve.


© Ken Rookes 2024

Bethlehem Ephrathah

Haiku for a birthplace The prophet Micah nominates the birthplace town; it is Bethlehem! Bethlehem might be a small place; f...