The Saga of Atonement: Old Testament Edition

[Long ago I read the Kalevala, the mythological epic of Finland and found its special meter (trochic tetrameter) to be one of the most compelling things about it. Last Christmas I wrote a poem recounting the story of Christ in this epic style, and mentioned that I might expand it to include the entire biblical story of redemption. Here is the current condensed version of the Old Testament part of the epic, which will almost certainly become longer in the future.]

(Picture taken in Hualien, Taiwan)

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Darkness shrouds the formless chaos

Darkness pierced by sudden light

He who dwells in endless glory
Speaking forth His words of might

Days from nights and skies from waters
Days declared to be of worth

Raising land and striking shorelines

Sets He now the realms of earth

Swirling shadows stir the oceans
Swirling wing-work streaks the skies

Creeping things to great behemoth

One more task before Him lies

Dust He gathers, breathes to life now

Dust that knows itself to be

In the image of the Godhead
Male and female, blessed we

*

Gardens verdant, land of richness

Man and nature dwelt in bliss
Wrecked in ruin, all earth poisoned
Broken faith at serpent’s hiss

Words of doom yet grace abounding
Words of pride from fallen men
Blood that cries from soil to heaven
Sin surpassing mortal ken

Faithful yet but one remaining

Faithful floats amid the flood

Cleansed of sin the world yet sinful
Cities rise from recent mud

Called the father sitting sonless
Called to wander arid lands
Water wells and well-met angels
Following his Lord’s commands

*

Younger son a trickster labors
Younger son lost and regained
Finding fame amid the famine
By the Nile they long remained

Now in chains a people crying
Now their masters full of woe
Wonders whelm the pride of Egypt
You shall let my people go

Forth to doubt and wildly-wander

Forth to those whose time has come

Wrath of judgment wreathing Canaan
Now the land shall be their home

Laws of food and guilt and pardon
Laws in stone the Prophet taught

Serving, serfs become a nation
Chosen people dearly bought

*

Judged for folly, oft invaded
Judged by warriors, strong yet stained
Conquerors amid the conquered
Prophets still the truth proclaimed

Knowing He who brought them hither

Knowing yet their faith was weak

Kings they called for, calling tallest
Faithless too, his ending bleak

Now the Son of Jesse rises
Now the sling and harp are raised
Mighty king of mighty heroes
Sea-kings flee and God is praised

 Son of wisdom builds the temple
Son of psalmist gathers gold

Teacher taught his sons too little
 Severed Israel leaves the fold

*

Idols built by Kings and Witch-queens
Idols broken in remorse
Offerings a stench offensive
Sin pursues its bloody course

Back and forth the chosen falter
Back from faith to stray in sin

Empires rise and eye their prizes
North then South at last give in

Death has come with armies distant
Death surrounding Zion’s wall  

Prophets slain in war for warning
Soon there is no voice at all.

Exiled now among the nations
Exiled yet Remembered still
Worldly powers shift their status
Centuries remain, until…

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