Even the wind and the sea

Haiku for the storm-tossed.

When evening came

they took the boat, crossed over

to the other side.

Left the crowd behind,

looking for a brief respite.

Other boats came too.

In the stern, weary,

on a cushion, tired eyes;

Jesus falls asleep.

The wind is rising,

grows into a roaring gale;

waves are crashing in.

Fearful, they wake him.

Teacher, are you not concerned?

We could all be drowned!

Rebuking the wind

and commanding wild sea

he speaks: Peace! Be Still!

The wind dies away

and the waves cease their crashing;

Why are you afraid?

Why are you afraid​?

We’ve travelled far together;

have you still no faith?

Who, they ask, is this;

the wind is at his command,

the sea obeys him.

Words for the faithful

when all seems out of control:

Be at peace! Be still!

© Ken Rookes 2018

When Jesus calls

Haiku for taking a chance

With John arrested

Jesus withdraws, goes back home;

north, to Galilee.

He leaves Nazareth

and moves to Capernaum.

There he makes his home.

What the prophet said

is about to be fulfilled;

a great light has dawned.

Commencing his work,

he begins to preach. “Repent,

the kingdom comes near.”

Walking by the sea

he sees Andrew and Simon

casting out their nets.

He calls the brothers,

“Come and follow, learn from me;

we'll fish for people.”

Best offer all day!

The fishers laugh, choose the risk,

leave behind their nets.

Further down the shore

He comes across more brothers,

sons of Zebedee.

In their father's boat,

Sons of Thunder, James and John,

also get the call.

In a flash, the pair

stop, weigh their options, and leave

dad to mend the nets.

© Ken Rookes 2017