A voice cries, Comfort!

Haiku for a coming.

Comfort my people.

Yes, we could use some comfort.

We feel lost, afraid.

Tell Jerusalem,

in words of tenderness, her

punishment is past.

A voice is crying:

In the wilderness prepare

the way; the Lord comes.

Mountains are levelled,

uneven ground is made smooth,

as are the rough roads.

The Lord is coming,

the day of glory draws near;

we all will see it.

A voice says Cry out!

People are withering grass

and fading flowers.

When God breathes on them

the grass withers, flowers fade;

only God’s word lasts.

Shout out loud, boldly,

Jerusalem. Do not fear.

Say, Here is your God!

The tidings are good.

Tell Judah, God comes in love;

he is our reward.

He will feed his flock

like a shepherd, gathering

the lambs in his arms.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Good shepherd Jesus

haiku for sheep

Good shepherd Jesus

looks with love upon his sheep,

gives himself for them.

No paid employee;

his commitment to his flock

is deep and caring.

He won’t run away

when things get tough and scary,

like when the wolves come.

A fine metaphor,

this shepherd-sheep partnership.

Jesus and his friends.

I know my own well,

and they know me; listening

to the things I say.

Lots of diff’rent sheep

in lots of diff’rent places:

all belong to me.

There will be one flock,

there will be one shepherd, too.

God’s love will shape us.

I lay down my life

for my sheep, then take it up,

to share risen life.

© Ken Rookes 2018

He comes through the gate

Haiku of selfless leadership

He comes through the gate,

the shepherd; so we trust him

to protect the sheep.

Up front, transparent,

one who goes ahead of us;

we will follow him.

Some leaders pretend:

Follow me, I'll care for you!

In it for themselves.

Thieves, crooks and bandits,

these come to steal and destroy.

Jesus is no thief.

The good shepherd comes

to give his all for the flock.

The sheep know his voice

Jesus is the gate.

Through this man we enter life,

abundant and true.

© Ken Rookes 2017

Other sheep

Taking heed of Jesus’ teaching,

listening for his voice;
looking out for others,
unafraid to make love’s choice.
 
The shepherd calls them by their name;
he’ll keep them safe from threat.
Come join him in the fold and know
his work’s not finished yet.
 
Some sheep have different colouring,
might feed on different grass;
they trust in hope and justice,
never fear what comes to pass.
 
Some speak with foreign accents,
step out in robes or veils,
make peace their golden standard
and weep when loving fails.
 
They may not pray like we do,
or sing our sacred songs;
but the flock, it comes together
when it stands against the wrongs.
 
Their doctrines might not be the same,
but one thing they agree:
love is the thing that matters,
forgiveness is the key.
 
Joined in freedom’s family-flock,
because that’s where they belong:
their differences won’t stop them
as they sing the shepherd’s song.
 
 

© Ken Rookes 2015

At one with the Father

At one with the Father,
the mystery of light;

he shines into the darkness,

he chases in the night.
 

At one with creation,

at home amidst the dust;

the redness at the centre,

the fire and the rust.

At one with the people,

the tears and the chain;
the wandering and homeless,
the loneliness and pain.

He does not shun the struggle,

dark thoughts or the questions;

embracing of the challenge
and seeking its connections.
 
Comrade to the travellers
on wilderness journey;
searching for that pilgrim goal
through windings and through turnings.
 
Confronter of the wealthy
disturbing those who rule;
discomfort for the righteous,
the wise sent back to school.
 
Friend of peace-creators,
holding frightened hands,
at one with those who protest,
and those who make a stand.
 
At one with the rhythm,
the feel and the pulse;
seeing truth and all things good,
and weeping o’er the false.
 
Dust and spirit joining,
in love they are united,  
reaching out to gather in;
the love, it is requited.
 
At home among the humble,
they know him by his voice,
he speaks of hope, of truth and life
for all who make the choice.
 
© Ken Rookes 2013

The good shepherd

Gospel writer John

loved a good agricultural metaphor;

(were there many other kinds

in a pre-industrial age?)

Jesus, lover of people,

welcomer of ratbags

and friend of troubled souls;

likens himself to a shepherd

who cares only for the welfare of his sheep.

Animal rights proponents would love him

because he reckons the life of the human shepherd

to be more expendable

than those of his ovine flock.

But we all know that it’s not about sheep.

It is about people,

individuals like you and me,

who, we are assured,

are loved and valued,

watched over and cared for

by the one he calls Father.

Furthermore, the metaphor implies,

we are all part of something bigger,

joined into one huge flock

of disparate humankind;

each member of which

is also loved and respected,

cared for and wept over

by that same Father;

and expected to do the same

© 2012 Ken Rookes