Recently I had an assignment in my last theology class that was to be a creative project depicting the atonement. Well, I’m not a painter or sculptor, but I do like to write. So I chose to do what I am referring to as an Epic Haiku.

A Little Haiku History

Originally, what we know as haiku today were once known as hokku. These hokku were 17 syllables long in three lines with the following syllable-per line structure: 5-7-5. The hokku was part of a longer work known as a renga, with the hokku serving “as the most significant part of the renga”[1] because it established the setting and season for the remaining work. Then the remaining work progressed through a series of what was in the Heian period (794-1185) known as haiku. The haiku of this era was 31-syllables with the per-line syllable structure of 5-7-5-7-7.

Through the centuries, luminaries such as Matsuo Busho (1644-94), Taniguchi Buson (1715-83) and Kobayashi Issa (1762-1826) morphed the literary art form of renga into what is now commonly referred to as haiku but their poems had the hokku structure. In other words, they were producing short poems in what we know in Western culture as the modern day haiku format. However, it was Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) that actually first described haiku as an “independent three-line poem”[2]; the form that was originally referred to as hokku.

All of this to say that I have been writing our current understanding of haiku for years. I appreciate the art form because a properly constructed haiku can pack quit a punch in only seventeen syllables. One of the aspects I enjoy so much about haiku is the third line is usually a bit of a twist from the two preceding lines. For example, Shuoshi Mizuhara’s Solitude:

Closing gate

alone with the stones

on this beautiful night[3]

While the Japanese syllables do not align with our syllables, the point is the reader is thinking this is going to be sad because a gate is closing and the person is alone with stones. Instead, it ends with a person enjoying the solitude of the moment. In my treatment that follows, I tried to capture that third-line sense with an image that sets up the next stanza or leaves the reader concerned for what is coming next. I have also toyed with formatting in an attempt to direct the eye to either sweeping across the page or to plummeting down into the next stanza.

“Epic Haiku”

Another reason I like haiku is that, even though they look short and quick to compose, they can actually take a lot of time in working to capture just the right words in the correct syllable structure that properly captures the artist’s intent. But once complete, a well-constructed haiku can be easily memorized for later recall; not unlike memorizing Scripture.

All of this to say that I have taken a typically short Japanese art form and expanded it into a much longer one. My work is several haiku put together; hence, it is an epic haiku. Also, most haiku are about seasons, human emotions or something from an Eastern religion mind-set. I have taken the haiku, expanded it into an epic format, and turned its application to Jesus and His atonement. My prayer and hope is it brings joy and thankfulness to the reader, but I also hope and pray it brings a smile my Father’s face and honor to Jesus Christ.

[1] Tom Lowenstein, Haiku inspirations: Poems and meditations on nature and beauty. London: Duncan Baird Publishers, 2006, p. 8.

[2] Ibid., p. 9.

[3] Quoted from Patricia Donegan, Haiku mind: 108 poems to cultivate awareness & open your heart. Boston: Shambhala, 2010, p. 151.

The Journey of the Atonement in Epic Haiku

In the beginning

all was well in the Garden.

Walking, talking and tilling.

The trees were nice there,

especially Knowledge tree!

We could look – not eat.

Temptation and lies

enticing to disobey.

“Come quick, let us…….hide!”

Our hearts darkening,

serpent slithers silently.

Emptiness inside.

Coolness of evening,

Footsteps on the Garden path,

“Come now, where are you?”

 Talking, blame, banished;

  It all ended suddenly.

   Flaming swords, closed gate.

Heel to head doom,

humanity wandering.

Redeemer coming.

Years and years and years.

Temporary sacrifice;

still distant from God.

Justice demanded,

necessary sacrifice.

The once and for all.

The Word became flesh;

Son of Man sent from Heaven—

dwelling among us.

Sinless, righteous power.

Fully God and Fully man

the deliverer.

Healing, releasing,

even nature obeys Him.

But…then scorned and scourged.

Crucified for sin,

replacing mankind on the cross;

paying debt in full.

Breathing His last breath—

then darkness upon the earth.

Had sin, Satan—won?

Third day, morning light.

Stone rolled away, men in white,

“Not here, He’s risen!”

Then appearing, “Peace.”

The redeeming Messiah.

Savior of the world!

Standing in our place,

completely paying the price—

bridging the chasm.

Born from above,

God and man reunited—

And…it is finished!