St. John of the Cross

Song of the Soul That Rejoices in Knowing God by Faith

For I know well the spring that flows and runs although it is night.

That eternal spring is hidden,
for I know well where it has its rise, although it is night

I do not know its origin, nor has it one,
but I know that every origin has come from it, although it is night .

I know that nothing else is so beautiful,
and that the heavens and the earth drink there, although it is night.

I know well that it is bottomless and no one is able to cross it. although it is night.

Its clarity is never darkened,
and I know that every light has come from it. although by night.

I know that its streams are so brimming
they water the lands of hell, the heavens and the earth, although by night

I know well the stream that flows from this spring is mighty in compass and power, although it is night.

I know the stream proceeding from these two, that niether of them in fact precedes it, although it is night.

This eternal spring is hidden
in this living bread for our life's sake, although it is night.

It is here calling out to creatures;
and they satisfy their thirst, although the darkness because it is night

This living spring that I long for, I see in this bread of life, although it is night.

Flush with its banks, © 2000
Table, amber shellac, goldleaf, bread frozen in wine, embossed around the edges with the work of St. John of the Cross

Flush with its banks- detail