This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
I wrote these one evening (1 August 2002) while reading through Craig Schenk's version of the Gospel of Thomas. Not all of them are "classic" haiku (5-7-5 syllables) but they all have three lines and 17 syllables. They're probably not great haiku but the subject matter gives them a boost.
More about the Gospel of Thomas here. That site also has a FAQ.
The first three haiku are based on the translation of the Greek version, the others are from the translation of the Coptic version. I'd like to learn Coptic and read it in the original, but I don't have the energy just now. Verse references are to the Coptic version.
1. (v.2)
Seek until you find
Finding, wonder; wondering, reign,
Reigning, you shall rest.
2. (v.3)
If you will not know yourselves
You dwell in poverty
And it is you.
3. (v.5)
Look at what is in front.
Hidden things become clear,
Buried things are raised.
4. (v.6b)
Tell no lies, and
Do not do what you hate.
Heaven sees all things plainly.
5. (v.10)
I have cast the fire
Upon the world, and guard it
Until it blazes.
6. (v.18)
Disciples, who ask
"What will be our end?"
- Have you found the beginning?
7. (v.24)
Light is in a man of light
Lighting up the world -
That is where I am.
8. (v.25)
Jesus said, Love your brother.
Love him as your soul.
Guard him like your eye.
9. (v.28)
I came in the flesh.
I found all of them drunk,
None of them thirsty.
10. (v.37)
When shall we see you?
When you strip like little children,
Without shame or fear.
11. (v.48)
If two make peace here
In this one house,
They can say, "Mountain, move away."
12. (v.50a)
Whence are you? Of the light.
Are you the light?
No, but you are its children.
13. (v. 50b)
What is the sign of
Your Father in you?
It is movement and repose.
14. (v.58)
Jesus said, "Blessed
Is the one who has suffered
And in it found life."
15. (v.69)
Blessed, those persecuted
Within themselves -
Truly know the Father.
16. (v.70)
Bring forth what is within.
That will save you -
Or, if not brought forth, destroy.
17. (v.77)
Split a piece of wood
And I am there. Lift a stone,
And you will find me.
18. (v.82)
Those near to me
Are near the fire - those far from me
Far from the kingdom.
19. (v.91)
You read the sky and the earth
But do not know him,
The one before you.
20. (v.108)
Drink from my mouth - be like me.
I will become you
And reveal mysteries.
21. (v.111)
Does not Jesus say,
"Whoever finds himself
Is better than the world?"
This material is copyright 2002 to Mike Reeves-McMillan. Use for profit is reserved to the author unless otherwise arranged.
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.