A capable wife

Haiku of exceptional virtue

A celebration of

womanhood. The bar is high,

some find it daunting.

No mere appendage,

this woman is capable,

independent, too.

She is resourceful,

skilful, does ev’rything – more

– that a man might do

This amazing wife

never rests, organises

her house with aplomb.

Filled with charity,

industrious, making warm

clothes for her household.

At the city gates

her husband is found, sitting

among the elders.

This woman is strong.

She is clothed in dignity,

kindness and wisdom.

Blessed by her children

and praised by her husband: You

surpass all women!

Charm is deceitful,

beauty passes; she who fears

God is to be praised.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Wisdom calls

 

Haiku for the wise

Calling in the street,

Wisdom cries out for wisdom,

‘stead of ignorance.

How long will they choose

foolishness, how long will they

despise the science?

How long will they make

a virtue of ignorance;

taking pride in it?

I stretched out my hand,

says wisdom, to offer you

counsel; you refused.

Disaster awaits

you, but you have made your choice.

I’ll laugh at your plight.

Calamity comes,

and they’ll call to me for help;

but I’ll ignore them.

They chose ignorance

over the fear of the Lord.

Such stupidity!

They have rejected

Wisdom’s counsel; let them eat

Futility’s fruit.

They have turned away

from God’s wisdom to the path

of death, destruction.

But those who listen

to Wisdom will be secure,

finding peace, not fear.

© Ken Rookes 2024

A good name

 

Haiku of reputation and regard

Is a good name still

better than riches, in this

get-all-you-can world?

To have little wealth

but a good reputation;

I hope I’d choose that.

To have good regard;

better than silver or gold?

Not all would concur.

The rich and the poor

owe their existence to God.

Remind them of that!

Those who are unjust,

will reap the consequences

of their perfidy.

Generous people

will find blessing as they share

their bread with the poor.

God watches over

the poor; you who exploit them

will be made to pay.

……………………………………….

Reputations don’t

seem to matter much these days,

bad people still rule.

© Ken Rookes 2024