A man of honour

Haiku of exposure

David was a cad,

and worse; it can’t be denied.

Power, corruption.

The season of spring,

and the army is away;

what’s a king to do?

Bathing on the roof;

he saw her. She was gorgeous.

David was lustful

He enquired, found out

her name. Married? No problem,

Bring her to me, now.

You can guess the rest.

Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife,

sends word: I’m pregnant!

David pens a note

to his general, Joab.

Send me Uriah.

Tell me Uriah,

how goes the war? It goes well.

Good; go to your house!

Uriah remains

at the palace. His honour

won’t let him go home.

The ark and army

are in tents. Will I go home

and lie with my wife?

Uriah returns.

The note reads: Place at the front,

then draw back from him.

We expect better

from our leaders. King David,

you are a disgrace!

Power, honour: not

impossible partners, but

seldom together.

© Ken Rookes 2024

At your right and left

Haiku for servants

Teacher, will you grant

whatever we ask of you?

They ask, cunningly.

What is it you want?

He asked brothers James and John

when they came to him.

In your glory time,

grant us to sit at your right

hand, and at your left.

Jesus must have sighed.

You don’t know what you’re asking;

haven’t heard my words.

Can you drink my cup,

or share in my baptism?

Sure we can, Jesus!

Yes, you will follow.

Death will be my baptism,

suffering my cup.

The Gentile rulers

play at power, lording it;

Don't imitate them!

Would you become great?

You must become a servant;

be the slave of all.

The Son of Man came

not to be served, but to serve;

and to give his life.

The sighs continue.

Many still play power games;

refusing to hear.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Won't be who you want

Haiku for causing offence.

They spoke well of him.

impressed by the things he said,

gracious, filled with hope.

Local boy makes good!

We remember Joseph’s son;

yes, he’s one of us!

He can’t let it rest.

I’m not who you think I am,

won’t be who you want.

There are no home town

prophets. Their honour is found

in other places.

Elijah went not

to help Israel’s widows,

but one in Sidon.

Prophet Elisha

cleansed the Syrian leper;

none from Israel.

I’m no longer yours.

Other folk will find more faith,

receive the blessings.

In the synagogue

the people rise up with rage

at the things he said

They would have killed him,

thrown him down from the cliff top,

but they changed their minds.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Forget the honour

Haiku for disciples

Teacher, will you do

for us whatever we ask?

What is it you want?

Brothers James and John

didn’t get it; asked Jesus

for seats of honour.

In glory may we

sit with you, at your right hand,

and one at your left?

You are asking much,

and you do not understand:

can you drink my cup?

And my baptism;

are you able to share it?

Yes, we are able.

You answer quickly!

In time you will share these hings

and my suffering.

The others saw red!

James and john had gone too far.

Jesus called them in.

Forget the honour,

That’s not the name of this game!

It’s about serving!

Others crave power,

you are not to be like them.;

you must be like me.

© Ken Rookes 2018