Hope

Hope

Haiku of encouragement

Revelation’s book:

words to bring hope, encourage,

when all presses in.

The Lord returns soon

to reward and to repay

those who act with faith.

Alpha, Omega,

the first and the last; Jesus

bringing fulfilment.

Wedding images,

speaking of consummation

and invitation.

If you are thirsty

receive the water of life.

Come! It is God’s gift.

He did not come soon.

There must be deeper meaning

in these words of hope.

Come Lord! is their cry.

But is he still to come, or

already with us?

© Ken Rookes 2022

 

Good news for the poor

I am not poor. I have food enough
to satisfy any momentary hunger;
and clothes sufficient to cover my nakedness,
even, when occasion requires,
to allow me to look stylish.
I have a dwelling, mostly paid for,
modest by the standards of my community,
but providing generous
shelter, privacy and comfort.
I have ready access
to the energy resources of my planet
allowing me to travel, to be entertained,
and to keep me warm, or cool,
according to my needs.
I visit the doctor when I am ill,
and can purchase medicines
at an affordable price.
And with the money that I have left over
I have access to learning, information and art,
along with the time to indulge these things.
Good news for the poor, I imagine,
would see dignity preserved,
hunger assuaged,
health care provided,
and the deliverance of a tolerable standard
of shelter, education and security.
Good news for the poor, I imagine,
would see those of us who are rich
being persuaded to share
recklessly and hopefully
of our abundance.

Ken Rookes