The first believers

Haiku for lefties

 

The first believers

living for fellowship, prayer,

the breaking of bread.

The signs were many,

the wonders, too. Apostles

doing Jesus’ work.

 

Awe rested on them.

With no thought for tomorrow

they shared all they had.

Selling possessions

and worldly goods, the proceeds

shared with the needy.

Praying together

in the temple, breaking bread

in each other’s home.

People were impressed;

day by day new folk joined them,

put their trust in God.

So utopian,

this social experiment;

shame it didn’t last.

Ken Rookes 2023

Good news for the poor

I am not poor. I have food enough
to satisfy any momentary hunger;
and clothes sufficient to cover my nakedness,
even, when occasion requires,
to allow me to look stylish.
I have a dwelling, mostly paid for,
modest by the standards of my community,
but providing generous
shelter, privacy and comfort.
I have ready access
to the energy resources of my planet
allowing me to travel, to be entertained,
and to keep me warm, or cool,
according to my needs.
I visit the doctor when I am ill,
and can purchase medicines
at an affordable price.
And with the money that I have left over
I have access to learning, information and art,
along with the time to indulge these things.
Good news for the poor, I imagine,
would see dignity preserved,
hunger assuaged,
health care provided,
and the deliverance of a tolerable standard
of shelter, education and security.
Good news for the poor, I imagine,
would see those of us who are rich
being persuaded to share
recklessly and hopefully
of our abundance.

Ken Rookes