All in the family
Haiku of embarrassing nomenclature
Instructed by God,
prophet Hosea marries
prostitute Gomer.
It happens. A man
becomes smitten. Takes a chance;
It might just work out.
Marriage and message
jumbled in the prophet’s life.
Call that commitment!
Filled with sin, the land
has played whore with other gods.
A faithless marriage.
Prophet and harlot
have a child. Name him “Jezreel,”
place of death and blood.
A daughter this time.
Call her “Not Pitied.” Israel
is not forgiven.
A third child, a son.
Make his name “Not my people.”
I am not your God.
Yet, in the end, grace;
hope. They will be called “Children
of the living God.”
© Ken Rookes 2022
