Last words

Haiku of conclusion

They engaged a scribe

to record the final words

of David, the King.

God exalted him,

favoured him above others.

(Despite all his sins).

God's Spirit, said Dave,

speaks through me. His divine word

is upon my tongue.

Israel's Rock says:

A just ruler, fearing God

shines like the morning.

Like the sun rising,

gleaming like rain on the grass;

the king who is just.

God knows I am just.

He makes lasting covenant

with me and my house.

God secures my house,

He will cause it to prosper;

my help and desire.

© Ken Rookes 2024

I make you a house

Haiku for building

The Lord gave him rest

from his enemies; David,

at last, dwells in peace.

The Ark of God stays

in a tent, he tells prophet

Nathan. It’s not right.

I shall build a house

as a dwelling place for God.

Do it! says Nathan.

Nathan has a dream.

God says, tell David I have

not asked for a house.

From Egypt travels

to now, I journeyed with my

people in a tent.

You were a shepherd;

I took you from minding sheep

and made you a king.

You shall reign in peace,

Israel shall put down roots;

they shall be secure.

I make you a house.

It shall be great; your offspring

will rule after you.

You will have a son.

I will make his kingdom great;

he will build my house.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Building a house

 

Haiku for a dwelling

David the monarch,

living in peace, thinks to build

a house for the Lord..

Nathan, the prophet,

agrees; goes home, has a dream

causing a rethink.

Nathan tells David,

since I set my poeople free,

I’ve not had a house.

Have I ever asked

Israel’s leaders to build me

a house of cedar?

You were a shepherd;

I took you from the pasture

to rule my people.

I have been with you.

Your ememies are beaten;

I’ll make your name great.

They will dwell in peace,

planted in the place that I

have appointed them.

God makes you a house!

Your kingdom lasts for ever;

your throne is secured.

© Ken Rookes 2023

The house with many rooms

 

At home
in the house with many rooms;
the writer of the fourth gospel
crafts a joyous and welcoming picture
of oneness with God,
(however she/he is conceived).
An image of the hereafter?
Perhaps; I used to read it that way.

At home
in a God who is called love,
and with a God at home in us.
At one with creation, generous and true,
woven into and emerging from
the dusty fibre of our fragile planet.
There may be life somewhere else,
but we do not know it.
United into the great body of humankind,
one with our neighbours, our sisters and brothers.
One in faith, one in doubt;
joined together in the shared pain,
the struggles, the tears and the fear.
Hoping anyway.

At home
in this house with many rooms;
but not quite.


© Ken Rookes 2014