Loddon Mallee UCA Presbytery Blog
Haiku of childhood
Like sending your kids
to boarding school, Samuel
was sent to Eli.
A linen ephod,
the humble uniform worn
by boy Samuel.
Each year his mum came,
with her hand-made robe. A gift
of guilt for her son?
Hannah, Elkanah
offered sacrifice each year;
Eli would bless them.
May God repay you
with more children, for giving
your son to the Lord.
The boy Samuel
grew, finding favour with God,
and with the people.
Ken Rookes 2024
Haiku of entreaty
Hannah was favoured
by Elkanah, but sadly,
she had no children.
Hannah wept. Husband
Elkanah spoke words of love
to reassure her.
At Shiloh, Hannah
prayed earnestly to the Lord;
See my misery!
Remember me, Lord.
Give me a child, a son; I'll
give him back to you.
Judge Eli, watching,
thought her drunk, rebuked Hannah:
Put away your wine!
Hannah protested,
Not drunk; merely pouring out
my heart before God.
Eli answered, Go
in peace; may Israel's God
grant your petition.
Back home in Ramah,
Hannah conceived, bore a son,
sang her song of praise.
I asked God for him
and the Lord has answered me.
Samuel's his name.
Hannah sang:
The barren bear fruit,
the mighty will be brought low,
and the poor raised up!
(Sound familiar?)
© Ken Rookes 2024
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
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.
© Ken Rookes 2024
