Haiku of encouragement
City under siege,
Jerusalem, holding out
against Babylon.
Not much point, really.
The city must fall: judgement
for the people's sin.
Incarcerated:
the prophet Jeremiah,
guilty of treason.
His words of judgement
don't mesh with the narrative
of those in power.
The cousin arrives,
Keep it in the family,
he said, Buy my field.
Fiscal foolishness!
Buying land when you're facing
imminent ruin.
He purchased the field:
Jeremiah's defiant
gesture of promise.
Here, store these sealed deeds
in an earthenware jar, safe
against the future.
Some day, in this land,
houses, fields, vineyards. once more
will be bought and sold.
A symbolic act,
but more; a display of hope
in God's promises.
© Ken Rookes 2022
