No Joke: I’m Publishing a Book of Haikus

Tiny Poems, Big Truths

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.” —Psalm 45:1 (NIV)

I almost told the world that BTS was crashing my book launch today. But no—I decided to go for the truth.

No joke: I’m publishing a book of haikus.

That may not sound revolutionary. But if you’ve ever tried capturing a story, a memory, or a whole atmosphere in just 17 syllables—you’ll know it’s no small task. It’s a whisper. A sigh. A thunderclap disguised as silence. And this book? It’s my heart on paper, one breath at a time.

When 35 Pages Felt Like a Whisper

Last night, after dinner and dishes, I sat down with a warm Jasmine tea and an open Word doc. What started as a collection of 100+ haikus soon revealed itself to be… just 35 pages.

Cue the quiet panic.

For a moment, I wondered if that was all I had to say. But deep down, I knew—each haiku held more. They weren’t just poems. They were fragments of moments—observations, prayers, places, people. To leave them unexplained would be like handing someone a map without a legend. So, I shifted gears. I started writing chapter introductions, adding context to key haikus, and weaving reflections between the lines.

And that’s when it started to feel like a book.

Haikus: A Minimalist’s Megaphone

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” —Hans Hofmann

I’ve been drawn to haikus since college. There’s something about boiling a whole scene down to three lines—condensing the essence of a memory into a tiny, structured form. It’s like painting a mural on a grain of rice.

For someone with a mind full of words, the discipline of a haiku is oddly freeing. It’s poetic minimalism—faith through brevity, story through syllable. It’s also wildly fun. On a good day, I can write 20 in a row (or more), like little windows into my soul.

But now, instead of keeping them in journals, I’m ready to open the windows and let the breeze flow through.

Why I’m Sharing This Now

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” —Ecclesiastes 11:1

Because stories, even small ones, are meant to travel.

I used to think haikus were too small to matter. That unless I wrote something epic—something traditionally poetic—people wouldn’t care. But lately, I’ve realized that we live in a world built on snippets. Tweets. Texts. Headlines. Glances. And sometimes, it’s the smallest things that hit us the hardest.

This project isn’t about proving anything. It’s about offering something. A glimpse. A breath. A shared moment. And if even one person sees their own story mirrored in mine—then I’ve done my part.

Soul Insights

1. Small Doesn’t Mean Shallow

A haiku may be short, but it doesn’t skim the surface. It dives deep and comes back with treasure.

2. Memory is a Mosaic

Each poem is a shard of experience. When placed together, they create a fuller picture—of who I was, who I am, and who I’m becoming.

3. Discipline Creates Space for Wonder

By limiting myself to 17 syllables, I’ve learned to choose words carefully—and in that process, I uncover deeper truths I didn’t expect to find.

4. Vulnerability is Strength

It takes courage to share something small. There’s nowhere to hide in a haiku. And that’s the point.

5. Creativity is Worship

Writing isn’t just expression—it’s devotion. When I create, I feel God’s nearness. It’s how I reflect the Creator Himself.

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” —Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Final Thoughts: Of Proverbs, Poetry, and Purpose

The book of Proverbs says that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” I think of haikus as those little golden apples—carefully placed, quietly powerful. They are wisdom compressed.

Ecclesiastes, with all its sobering honesty, reminds me that everything has a season. And maybe this season is mine. Not for shouting, but for whispering well. For crafting something beautiful. For stirring noble themes, one line at a time.

So no, this isn’t a prank. It’s an offering.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme.

My soul speaks in syllables.

And this book is my pen on the page.

Not a foolish thing

To follow where poems lead

Even if they’re small

Soul Path Insights