Absalom, my son!

 

Haiku of a father’s love.

Absalom rebelled

against his Father, reaching

out to grab the throne.

Much blood had been spilled.

David’s forces were winning;

Spare my son, he said.

The battle was fierce,

the slaughter, great. Absalom

flees upon his mule.

Hanging by his hair,

Absalom’s enemies come;

show him no mercy.

They bring a report

to David: May all your foes

be like that young man!

He retreats, weeping.

Absalom, my son! I would

have died in your place!

© Ken Rookes 2024

A young woman is with child

 

Haiku of promise

Ahaz will not ask

the Lord for a sign. A sign

will still be given.

A girl will conceive,

she shall give birth to a son

called Immanuel.

Teenage girl, swelling

with wonder and life; marker

of life, joy and hope.

Children speak to us

of blessings, spirit, beauty,

duty and promise.

This child is unique,

turning away from evil

and choosing the good.

We ask for a sign

but it is there before us.

Rise up and seek God!

© Ken Rookes 2022

The man had two sons

Haiku of disturbing grace.

The man had two sons.

The second came, uncaring;

I need my share now.

The son went abroad

to ply his profligate plan:

wine, women and song.

The money is gone,

the so-called friends disappear,

poverty beckons.

Heading for his home,

what will he say? Sorry Dad,

don’t call me your son.

His father rejoiced,

My son was dead, Now he lives!

Come, it’s party-time !

The older brother

is unimpressed, refusing

the celebrations.

When such grace abounds

we who are worthy must choose:

judge, or celebrate?

Will the fatted calf

provide feasting for us all,

or just the sinful?

© Ken Rookes 2022

Annunciation

 

Improbable Haiku

Annunciation;

a big word for an event

cloaked in mystery.

What really happened?

Only sceptics such as me

would ask that question.

Greetings, favoured one!

The angel addresses her,

claims her attention.

The girl, young, awestruck

by news of a pregnancy.

How would I respond?

How can these things be?

The girl has not known a man;

it’s not possible.

Ah, the story goes;

you will be overshadowed

by the Most High God.

You’ll have a baby.

You will call the child Jesus;

he will be God’s Son.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Another resurrection story

Do not seek death, death will find you.

But seek the road that makes death a fulfilment.

Dag Hammarskjöld

Another resurrection story. In the township of Nain

an only son joins Lazarus, and in time, Jesus himself.

(Let's be generous, and add the daughter of Jairus;

that makes four members of the resurrection guild.)

Perhaps the widow's son will outlive her, this time;

(this is the way things should be).

Then she will be spared the bitterness

of rekindled grief.

Another resurrection story,

but they are all really part of the one.

Death's ultimate conqueror

having come among us.

The ones who followed after him

eventually understood that bodily resurrections

have little use

beyond the postponement of grief.

Death however,

should be received as a divine gift.

Death's purpose is not found in its reversal

through resurrection,

but in the fulfilment of living.

© Ken Rookes 2016