These hidden things

Haiku for children

The invitation

must be accepted, or else

it has no value.

The flute is playing

the children are calling out:

Why won’t you come dance?

Here is the offer

of life filled with love and hope:

RSVP now.

Share fully in life,

both its joys and its sorrows.

There’s no other way!

The children can see

the things that the wise refuse;

the wonders of God.

I see you’re weary,

your burdens consume your life.

Come, receive my rest.

My yoke is easy,

blessed with purpose and with hope;

come and learn from me.

© Ken Rookes 2020

a prayer of rest

Tonight I will sleep beneath your feet, O Lord of the mountains and valleys, ruler

of the trees and vines.  I will rest in your love, with you protecting me as a father protects his children, with you watching over me as a mother watches over her children.  Then tomorrow the sun will rise and I will not know where I am; but I know that you will guide my footsteps.

A Sioux prayer.

All that Matters

All that matters is to be at one with the living God

to be a creature in the house of the God of Life.

Like a cat asleep on a chair

at peace, in peace

and at one with the master of the house, with the mistress,

At home, at home in the house of the living

sleeping on the hearth, and yawning before the fire.

Sleeping on the hearth of the living world

yawning at home before the fire of life

feeling the presence of the living God

like a great reassurance

a deep calm in the heart

a presence

as of the master sitting at the board

in his own and greater being,

in the house of life.

D H Lawrence.

Come to me

Haiku of homecoming

This generation.

Never seen the like before.

Never will again.

They call each other,

the children, young but knowing;

When will you respond?

You can dance with me

or weep mournfully with John;

listen, hear and act.

Come, join in the dance,

accept the invitation,

dine upon God’s word.

The wise will not see.

Love’s mysteries are too hard;

need to be a child.

By the Father’s grace

he grasps heavenly precepts,

shares them with his friends.

You who are anxious,

who struggle with life’s burdens;

come, journey with me.

My yoke is easy.

Gentle, I am, and humble;

I will give you rest.

© Ken Rookes 2017