Keep awake, herefore.

Haiku for the vigilant

Things we do not know:

what lies around the corner,

what is to happen.

The days of Noah,

eating drinking, marrying;

just like us today.

Planet Earth is stuffed.

Should be taking to the streets,

not watching TV.

What price relevance?

The things we’re doing in church,

while the planet cooks.

Does the Lord return?

Will he come to fix things up?

Not holding my breath.

The thieves are coming!

Climate change deniers, all,

stealing the future.

On the far right, fools

posit an infinite earth.

Extinctions abound.

The party goes on,

so much fun! Don’t disturb us;

we don’t want to know.

We did not expect.

But no! They warn us: twelve years!

What if they are right?

Sleep on, you Christians.

Would God let these things happen?

Who else will stop them?

© Ken Rookes 2019

Look at these stones

Haiku for upheaval

The physical realm

strides to the front: Look at me,

my beautiful stones!

Humankind built me

to honour God, or perhaps

for their own honour.

Not one of these stones

will remain standing, he said.

All will be thrown down.

The time is coming

when this temple is rubble,

and all it stands for.

When will these things be,

what will be the sign of them?

How can we prepare?

You cannot prepare.

There will be upheaval, wars

and dreadful portents.

They will arrest you,

lock you up, hand you over;

be ready to speak.

My words will be yours,

wisdom too. You will suffer,

some of you will die.

But you will endure.

I am with you, and your souls

are held in my hand.

© Ken Rookes 2019.

Prepare a path

Haiku of readiness

The Baptiser came;

a voice, calling, defiant.

Preparing a path.

In the wilderness;

broken stones and tangled weeds

of human despair.

Through the wilderness

one is coming to bring hope;

a way must be found.

It is drawing near,

this strange kingdom of light, life

and revolution.

Make yourselves ready,

bring forth the repentance fruits;

grace and compassion.

Through the scrub he comes

with his words of love and life;

most unexpected.

© Ken Rookes 2016

The day is not known

Haiku for watching and waiting
The day is not known,

nor can the hour be guessed at;

the accounting time.

The days of Noah;

doing our everyday things,

expecting the same.

Eating and drinking,

marrying – things to be done

as our lives proceed.

The mythical flood

comes to change everything,

surprising us all.

Fearful images;

one is taken, one is left.

The day is not known.

Keep awake, therefore.

You don't know when the thief comes.

You must be prepared.

The Son of Man comes

when we are not expecting;

the accounting time.

© Ken Rookes 2016

Scribes

Arrayed in long, showy robes,

(first century Armani,

bespoke, suits cut to impress);

commanding attention.

We know that they are important,

social and religious heavyweights;

demanding to be taken seriously.

They are among the nation's leaders,

and clearly know better than the rest of us;

soaring high above the crowd,

magnificent, learned, erudite.

Highly respected,

these Scribes lack nothing;

except compassion.

© Ken Rookes 2015