Escaping the crowds

 Haiku for a retreat

They have been busy;

the twelve he sent out to share

his life-giving news.

To the wilderness

they retreat, an empty place

where they can rest up.

The lake is their friend!

They sail in their little boat

away from the throng.

He has become known.

Recognition blocks the plan;

the crowds come seeking.

They are shepherd-less,

these sheep. He steps up to teach,

sharing the kingdom.

His fame goes ahead.

In Gennesaret the crowds

see him and gather.

They hope to be healed.

We all do. Come, Lord Jesus;

we, too, are broken.

© Ken Rookes 2021

The crowds were coming

Haiku of anticipation

The crowds were coming.

They’d heard he was baptising.

Come! Begin again!

John was a preacher,

among other things. Repent!

Produce righteous fruits!

You brood of vipers!

he cried to the hypocrites

who came, pretending.

Your historical

entitlement is ending;

bear the fruits of love.

What then should we do?

they asked him. Learn how to share;

spread the love around.

Tax collectors came.

Don’t collect more than you should.

Treat people fairly.

Soldiers came, seeking.

Don’t exploit your position;

wages are enough.

People were asking:

Could he be the promised one

that God is sending?

That one is coming.

I have baptised with water;

he brings the Spirit.

© Ken Rookes 2018

Haiku of the deserted place

Stillness, how precious

in the midst of the mayhem;

time to take deep breath.

Deserted places

punctuate the noisiness

of insistent crowds.

A boat to escape,

find time to think, and to eat;

to pray and to weep.

A deserted place

to retreat from the masses.

Alas, they've found us!

From marketplace, farm,

city and village they come,

begging and hoping.

© Ken Rookes 2015

Triumph

 

The prophet had him riding a donkey,
so, too, the gospel writers.
A sign, they say, of his humility,
that he was a normal bloke,
like the rest of us.
The god-man, entering the city in triumph
on the back of an ass.
If he came today, in triumph or otherwise,
perhaps he might look beyond the donkey.
Just maybe he might employ the pantomime horse;
in recognition of all the human madness,
and the apparent foolishness
of this strange divine plan.
Jesus the clown;
he’d laugh at himself,
choosing the rear end,
making Peter or James take the head.
Look, here is your God,
laugh at him / her;
and learn to laugh at yourselves while you are at it.
Remember, in laughter there are also tears;
in laughter there is truth.

© Ken Rookes 2014