Give us a king!

 Haiku of rejection

Sons bringing disgrace

upon families; Eli,

and now Samuel.

Samuel, you’re old

and your sons don’t follow God;

now give us a king!

Samuel’s annoyed;

they want a king to rule them

like other nations.

The ageing judge prays.

God answers him, It’s not you;

they’ve rejected me..

From the very start

they rejected me as king;

after all I did!

Listen to their voice,

but warn them what kings are like;

let it be on them.

You want a king? Fine!

He’ll take your sons for soldiers;

and much more as well!

They weren’t listening.

Give us a king to lead us

out into battle!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Hometowns are for leaving

Hometowns are for leaving,
with occasional returns
to visit family
and to catch up with friends.
On such occasions you will exchange warm greetings,
enquire after those absent
and share your stories.
You will try,
but you will find it hard to understand each other's journeys.    
How can you?
Too much has happened,
good and bad;
so many unexpected twists in the road.
All the surprises, disappointments,
challenges, triumphs and embarrassments;
you, and they, are no longer the same.


Nor was Jesus.
When he returned to his hometown
they would not receive him.
They could not understand
and they would not listen to his words.

© Ken Rookes 2015