Decalogue

Haiku for living well

Moses reports back

to the people, having spent

time in God’s presence.

Ten words from the Lord.

The first: God is one; you shall

have no other gods.

The Lord rescued you

from slavery in Egypt.

You need none other.

Respect the Lord’s name,

don’t misuse, speak it loosely,

God will be angry.

One day in seven

shall be a sabbath; no one

should work on that day.

In the story told

of how the world came to be,

God himself took rest.

When people grow old

that doesn’t mean they’re useless;

honour your parents.

You shall not murder.

Be faithful in your marriage.

Don’t steal from others.

Always be truthful.

Don’t lie to seek advantage

over your neighbour.

Don’t waste energy

covetting what isn’t yours;

it gets you nowhere.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Commandments

 

Haiku for ordering a community

Ten. A good number.

one for every finger;

Easy to keep count.

Ten rules for living

establishing some limits

to bad behaviour.

First up, God. Just one,

no others, don’t make idols,

don’t misuse God’s name.

Day number seven,

keep it holy. Rest, don’t work;

got six days for that.

Respect your parents.

When they grow old and useless

still look after them.

Murder’s not allowed,

neither is adultery.

Be faithful and true.

Don’t steal. That includes

wage theft, ripping people off,

and tax avoidance.

Don’t falsely accuse

or tell lies about people.

(Very relevant!)

Your neighbour’s house, wife,

slave, donkey; don’t covet them.

Try to be content

Thunder and lightning,

a trumpet’s blast. Is it God?

The people tremble.

We hear you, Moses,

but don’t let God speak to us;

we would surely die.

© Ken Rookes 2023