Dark Night of the Soul

This is my translation and arrangement of the wonderful poem by John of the Cross. He was a contemporary of St. Teresa of Avila. I had a very difficult time of it, especially when you check out the other translations. They are all so very different! I like the end result. The idea is to add this poem to a new painting I am working on in which the main characters are birds (of course!).


Dark Night of the Soul

The night was dark and moonless
My heart consumed by flames of desire
I arose and slipped out unseen
While all about were peacefully still

Wrapped in velvety darkness
I quietly took the hidden stairs
And found my way by touch
While those unknowing slept as if in death

O thou most lovely night
With none about I fled in secrecy
Needing no map or light as guide
Just the longing in my breast

It was love’s face that drew me on
Far brighter than the moon or sun
To where he longed for me
This was our secret holy place

O night so warm and still
O night more glorious than the brightest day
O night that fused the lover to his beloved one
Each transformed into the other

In my arms kept solely for him
I held my beloved as he slept
And caressing I loved him gently
In a breeze made fragrant by cedar trees

From o’er the castle walls
A gentle wind stirred his hair
With his hand he brushed my neck
And all my senses fell away

I lost myself entirely to him
Resting my face upon my lover’s chest
My sorrows and cares drifted away
All forgotten among the lilies
Forgotten among the lilies
Among the lilies so fair