Poems of St John of The Cross

[BarbTh]

Poems of St John of The Cross
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I am attempting to initiate discussion on Phatmass Phorum on the poetry of St John of The Cross I have a booklet given to me by a Carmelite nun which contains his poetry. It seems to be no longer available to my rather quick research anyway. The first poem I have posted is titled “With A Divine Meaning” - Go to:

http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/145136-poetry-of-st-john-of-the-cross/

 

[BarbTh]

Here is the first poem I posted in Phatmass Phorum:

POETRY OF ST JOHN OF THE CROSS

"With a Divine Meaning"

Upheld, and yet without support,

darkness around, no light of day

while I am wholly burned away.

My soul is free and set apart

from every created thing,

lifted above itself to sing

of richer life delights the heart.

God is the rock to which I cling-

Now I can tell it as I ought:

the source of all my greatest bliss

to feel, to know that my soul is upheld,

and yet without support.

I walk along a shadowed way

of suffering in this life of night

and yet although I see no light

my sorrow’s not without allay:

I know the heavenly life burns bright.

The blinder love is, I can say,

the greater is the life that flow,

holding the soul in peace that grows,

darkness around, no light of day.

Since Love began to work in me

His touch transforms me, this I know.

I see my soul translucent grow,

for at His pleasure, equally

both good and bad are changed and glow.

Filled with delight to be Love’s prey

I feel His flame consume, and see

nothing is left, for rapidly

the whole of me is burned away.

 

[Casilda]

I am waiting for my copy in the original Spanish. For some reason, it’s easier for me to understand. The English translations do not do him justice.

 

[BarbTh]

Doubtless, probably the translation into English does not do his poetry justice at all. I am grateful for the translation though since I do not understand Spanish.

I hope your Spanish copy will arrive very soon for you.