St. John of the Cross

“In the most secret part of the soul, God is hidden.”

“Where art thou hidden, beloved, and hast left me to my groaning?”

“Like the hart, thou hast fled, having wounded me; I went forth crying after thee, and thou wast gone.”

“O ye shepherds, ye who go through the sheepfolds, if perchance ye see Him whom my soul loveth, tell Him that I sicken, suffer, and die.”

“Seeking my loves, I will go through these mountains and watersides; I will gather no flowers, nor fear the wild beasts.”

“I will pass by mighty men and frontiers.”

“O woods and thickets, planted by the hand of the beloved.”

“O verdant meadow enamelled with flowers, tell me if He passed by you.”

“Pouring forth a thousand graces, He passed through these woods in haste.”

“And looking upon them as He went, with His glance alone He left them clothed with beauty.”

“Ah, who can heal me? Yield Thyself perfectly now.”

“Send me no more an unwilling messenger, who cannot tell what I will know.”

“All who are free, tell me a thousand graceful things of Thee.”

“And all wound me more and more, and something they are stammering leaves me dying.”

“How is it that thou canst endure, since thou livest not where thou lovest?”

“Why, since thou hast wounded my heart, hast thou not healed it?”

“And why, having robbed me of it, hast thou abandoned it?”

“Quench thou my troubles, for none other can soothe them.”

“In the dark night of the soul, bright flows the river of God.”