St John of the Cross

when he wrote the poem he was in a prison cell

with barely enough room to move about 

he was given small portions of food and water 

that would hardly keep away the hunger pains 

he was not able even to change his clothes 

or take a bath ever 

he was beaten regularly in front of all to see 

yet he took all of this with grace 

not for a moment was his faith in God shaken

it was in this cell that had a small chink in the wall

where a shaft of light shone through

enough that he could see to write 

that his beautiful words of truth 

flowed out

one poem is called the spiritual canticle
in this poem he explains the mystical journey
to be as a bride that searches for her beloved
and yearns for him greatly

a beautiful flowing poem 

where he speaks with emotion so deeply felt 

of love and longing for God 

where is he? the poem seems to be crying 

as he has come to my heart and left again

gone with the wind it seems 

his words flowing as a one that is in great 

aching to know the heart of all
until at last there is merging with the beloved
in the garden of paradise
then he writes his most glorious poem

where he is merged with God 

and finds that knowing beyond all knowledge 

beyond all thought and form 

transcending all boundaries 

that understanding that comes only 

when all that is known has been washed away

so beautiful are these words 

and so much within truth and fullness 

that it cannot be denied he was a realized saint 

and a soul that endured so so much suffering that 

was not even his fault to bear 

he died later after he was out of confinement

and is now within perfect peace

a saint of great love and light 

St John of the Cross


Transcending all knowledge
(written by St John of the Cross)

I entered into unknowing
Yet when I saw myself there
Without knowing where I was
I understood great things;
I shall not say what I felt
For I remained in unknowing
Transcending all knowledge

That perfect knowledge
Was of peace and holiness
Held at no remove
In profound solitude;
It was something so secret
That I was left stammering,
Transcending all knowledge.

I was so whelmed,
So absorbed and withdrawn,
That my senses were left
Deprived of all their sensing,
And my spirit was given
An understanding while not understanding,
Transcending all knowledge.

He who truly arrives there
Cuts free from himself;
All that he knew before
Now seems worthless,
And his knowledge soars
That he is left in unknowing
Transcending all knowledge

This knowledge in unknowing
Is so overwhelming
That wise men disputing
Can never overthrow it,
For their knowledge does not reach
To the understanding,
Transcending all knowledge

And this supreme knowledge
Is so exalted
That no power of man or learning
Can grasp it;
He who masters himself
Will, with knowledge unknowing,
Always be transcending.
And if you should want to hear:
This highest knowledge lies
In the loftiest sense
Of the essence of God;
This is a work of his mercy,
To leave one without understanding
Transcending all knowledge