Finally, sisters and brothers . . .

Haiku responding to 2 Cor. 13:11-13

Paul the apostle

is signing-off his missive;

bids his friends, farewell.

Let your common life

be filled with healing and peace.

Be in agreement.

Try to live in peace,

and the God of love and peace

will be found with you.

Greet one another

with a holy kiss; do so

on behalf of us.

Grace from Jesus, love

from God, the Spirit's friendship,

fill all of your life.

© Ken Rookes 2026

All mine are yours

Haiku of departure

He calls God ‘Father’

inviting his friends to share

the intimacy.

He keeps his father’s

trust; the men and the women

he took to himself.

Not one of them lost.

He embraces them in love,

giving protection.

Their home is not here

amidst earth’s dust and despair,

but with the Father.

Here, amidst earth’s dust

is the place of struggle, where

love is made concrete.

I made known your word,

they are holy through your truth.

Father, keep them safe.

Here, amidst earth’s dust

they must go on, without me;

making the love real.

The joy is complete

when love, truth, witness and word

are come together.

© Ken Rookes 2021