Not me, him!

 Haiku for an immersion

Could he be the one?

The question upon all lips

when it came to John.

Not me, he protests.

Water is what I deal with;

fire is his gift.

He brings God’s Spirit,

blessings and judgement. Prepare

to make him welcome.

Among baptism’s

candidates stands one Jesus,

ready to begin.

As he prays, God’s dove-

shaped Spirit descends on him,

He must be the one!

A voice from heaven

expressed divine approval:

My beloved Son!

Great significance!

Luke gives us this dripping man,

sharing his wetness.

© Ken Rookes 2022

The Baptiser warns

 Haiku of preparation

The Baptiser warns

the crowds who come to hear him.

It is time, repent!

This brood of vipers

come out of fear, to escape

the coming judgement.

Produce in your hearts

and in your deeds, fruits worthy

of your repentance.

Don’t trust in your race

or that you are one of God’s

privileged people.

Share your possessions,

be honest, deal fairly, don’t

abuse your power.

They asked John, Are you

the one who God is sending?

I am not the one.

Not I, but one comes

who will set your souls on fire.

This is my good news.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Prepare

 

haiku of announcement

Located in time

and in space, the arrival

of Baptiser John.

The wilderness voice

of God echoes through John’s head,

compels him to speak.

Turn away from sin!

When they come for his message:

John baptises them

Isaiah wrote it:

A voice shouts in the wild place,

preparing the way.

Earthworks metaphor,

a track is cleared for the one

who brings salvation.

Valleys will be filled

and mountains will be levelled,

the rough ways made smooth.

A big metaphor

for a cosmic happening:

the promised one comes!

© Ken Rookes 2021

Make straight the way

 

Haiku to clear the Shadows

He was light’s shadow,

pointing to the shining One

in whose glow he stood.

He is not the light,

but he points to one who comes

that we might know life.

Religious leaders

came to listen, questioning,

Are you he who comes?

Not the Messiah,

nor am I Elijah, or

another prophet.

If none of these, then

who are you? I am a voice

from the wild places.

I’m the voice that shouts,

Make straight the way, be ready

for the Lord who comes.

Among you stands one

far greater than me. You will

know him when he comes.

© Ken Rookes 2020

The good news begins

 

Haiku of commencement

The good news begins

as Jesus, also called Christ,

is waiting offstage.

Voice in wilderness.

Baptiser John, the wild man,

makes the announcement.

The Lord comes! Prepare

to receive him; be ready

to hear his message.

The crowd flocks to John

to hear his repentance call,

to be forgiven.

He is a wild man,

this baptiser; dressed roughly,

living on insects.

Easy to ignore

the impolite, to discard

their uncultured words.

Coming after me

is one far greater; he will

baptise with Spirit.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Doubting in the dark

Haiku of unexpected hope

John the Baptiser

languishing in the dungeon;

doubting in the dark.

Sending out his friends

to find out. Are you the One

or must we still wait?

Return to John, tell

of the things you see and hear;

life in its fullness.

Tell of God’s welcome,

the outsiders who find home,

of friendship’s triumph.

Tell of the confused

who have come to understand;

lives renewed by love.

Tell of the gospel

taking root in aching hearts,

producing much fruit.

Tell of forgiveness

bringing many beginnings,

joy blended with hope.

Tell prophet-man John

that God’s reign is upon us,

and to be at peace.

© Ken Rookes 2019.

The Baptiser cries

Haiku of expectation

The Baptiser cries

loudly his words to repent,

and weeps in silence.

In his op-shop clothes

of camel hair, leather belt,

catches them off-guard!

Make ready, he says;

things are changing, a new day

is about to dawn.

You privileged ones,

presuming on your birthrights;

produce fruits of love.

No place for smugness

you who think you have arrived;

you must live justly.

Flee the coming wrath;

produce fruits of justice, and

generosity.

One is coming soon,

with greater, more powerful

words of hope and life.

He will bring judgement.

There is really no need; we

bring it on ourselves.

© Ken Rookes 2019

My name is John

Haiku for beginning

Give me camel’s hair,

leather belt around my waist;

feed me with locusts.

Give me a loud voice

enough to shake foundations.

Feed me wild honey

Find me at the creek

with the rocks and croaking frogs.

Water is my home.

Put away your sins;

the darkness in your living.

Let’s wash it away.

Come and be baptised.

Show that you are eager, keen

to begin anew.

One comes after me.

He will do much more than I.

He brings the Spirit.

. . . .

He came from up north

to meet John at the Jordan.

Baptise me, comrade.

The heavens opened

with the voice of approval.

The Spirit came down.

© Ken Rookes 2018.

His name was John

Haiku of promise.

His name was John

He pointed to light; shining,

challenging the dark.

Down beside the creek

he spoke of revolution.

People sought him out.

A man sent from God.

The leaders came to see him:

Who the heck are you?

If you’re not the Christ

are you Elijah; are you

some other prophet?

I am a loud voice,

lonely, crying in the dark:

Make straight the Lord’s path.

Why do you baptise;

you are not the Messiah?

No, but he is here.

I’m using water,

he who comes will do much more;

wait, watch and see!

© Ken Rookes 2017.

Prepare the way

Haiku of expectation

The brutal powers

wink smugly, worship Mammon,

plan their victory.

John the baptiser

stands tall and immovable,

prophet for us all.

Hear the earth weeping,

as she waits for her offspring

to remember love.

Something might happen

if we want it hard enough.

Make yourself ready.

The messenger comes

sent to speak God’s awkward truth,

to prepare the way.

One is soon to come.

He brings a word of hope, life,

not to mention love.

Far greater than I;

in him the heavens draw near

with the Spirit’s kiss.

We need more prophets;

women unafraid of truth,

men who make a stand.

They won’t be silenced.

Like the master they follow

they’re driven by love.

Make the pathways straight

for the one who brings true life,

who makes all things new.

© Ken Rookes 2017.