Lifted

Haiku of the light

In the wilderness

Moses elevates the snake;

bronze for healing.

Look upon the snake,

he told them. You who are ill

will not die, but live.

Look upon the Christ

when he is lifted, John says;

you, too, will find life.

When he is lifted,

when the cross is made his home,

we will see his truth.

He will shine as light,

challenging earth’s dark sadness,

that which is evil.

Seek out the light

and dwell in him; find his truth,

life without limits.

In your wilderness

raise your eyes; you will see him,

chasing your darkness.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Elevated

Haiku for those who grope in darkness

In the wilderness

Moses lifted the bronze snake.

The people were healed.

So, too, will Jesus,

the Son of Man sent from God

be elevated.

Of the Father’s love

Jesus is sent, precious gift

bringing us true life.

He came, grace-laden,

embodying forgiveness.

No one is condemned.

There are those who hide,

preferring darkness to light;

judgement awaits them.

Blankets of darkness

drape heavy to hide evil.

Light is cast aside.

It’s all about light,

truth, hope, love; made incarnate.

Light shines, defiant.

Their deeds are in God,

those who seek to serve the truth.

Come, embrace the Light.

© Ken Rookes 2018.

Lifted

He was elevated.

It was not for the purposes of admiration or acclaim;

a strange glorification.

The crudely fashioned wooden platform

is no pedestal.

What, then, shall we call it,

this instrument of shame and death;

conveniently named for its shape

rather than its purpose? No matter,

the two have been conflated

over the millennia.

There is, however, no convenience in death.

No, that is not true.

It is all a matter

of where you are standing.

Lifted from the earth,

three metres, four at the most,

anchored to earth’s rocks and dust

not by nails driven cruelly into timber,

but by cords;

willing ribbons of love.

© Ken Rookes 2015.