When will this be?

Haiku of the eschaton

Up from the country,

disciples are in awe. Look

at the size of those!

See these great buildings,

said Jesus. These are nothing;

all will be made dust.

What is important;

which are the things that remain?

There is only one.

Four came to Jesus,

asking him on the quiet:

when will this happen?

Troubled times ahead!

Some will come, claim “I am he!”

Don’t be led astray.

You will hear of wars

and rumours. Mere precursors;

the end still awaits.

Conflicting nations,

famines, earthquakes; these are signs;

the birth pangs begin.

The kingdom will come

but not as you expect; won’t

be an easy birth.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Stones for Stumbling

There is no shortage,

especially if you are young.

But then, nor are the mature exempt.

We trip, we fall,

we get up again.

We warn our comrades,

keep an eye on the vulnerable,

and remove those obstacles

that haven’t been bolted down;

or try to.

Sometimes,

distracted, preoccupied,

failing to listen, or to see,

not vigilant enough ask the questions;

we stand quietly by

as new stones are lowered into place.

© Ken Rookes 2015