“God, The Playwright” is a free verse rendition of Frederick Buechner’s book Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. In this poem, I take the reader through the Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale of the Gospel in order to reveal that our Creator is in fact the Master Storyteller and the Gospel is His imaginative masterpiece.

Tragedy

     Blood and water. Blood and sweat.

     Gall and vinegar. Sin and debt.

God, your God has forsaken you.

Friend, your Friends have abandoned you.

Groom, your Bride has forgotten you.

Son, your Mother is watching you.

     Give up the Ghost. Give up your Mother.

     Destined to die. Destined to suffer.

          ‘how are the mighty fallen!’[1]

Comedy

     Begotten and God. Dead and risen.

     Rich and poor. Giver and given.

Stable, I AM is born in you.

Colt, the King is riding you.

Cross, the Savior is hung on you.

Grave, the Life is buried in you.

     The blind do see and the seeing are blind.

     Eternity has stepped into time.

          ‘the foolishness of God is wiser than men.’[2]

Fairy Tale

     Serpent and fruit. Guilt and flood.

     Grace and Truth. Mercy and love.

Accuser, the Truth accuses you.

Dragon, the Knight comes for you.

Hell, the Way cuts through you.

Death, the Victor overthrows you.

     Sing! you guests to the Holy One;

     At the ageless dance in the age to come.

          ‘behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen.’[3]

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Citation Information

Donald W. Catchings, Jr. “God, the Playwright.” An Unexpected Journal 2, no. 1. (Spring 2019): 111-116.

Direct Link: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/god-the-playwright/

Endnotes

[1] 2 Sam 1:19

[2] 1 Cor 1:25

[3] Rev 1:18

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