by St John of the Cross
From The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross. Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez. ICS Publications, 2017. 58-60.
For I know well the spring that flows and runs,
although it is night.
1. That eternal spring is hidden,
for I know well where it has its
rise,
although it is night.
2. I do not know its origin, nor
has it one,
but I know that every origin has
come from it,
although it is night.
3. I know that nothing else is so
beautiful,
and that the heavens and the earth
drink there,
although it is night.
4. I know well that it is bottomless
and no one is able to cross it,
although it is night.
5. Its clarity is never darkened,
and I know that every light has
come from it,
although it is night.
6. I know that its streams are so
brimming
they water the lands of hell, the
heavens, and earth,
although it is night.
7. I know well the stream that flows
from this spring
is mighty in compass and power,
although it is night.
8. I know the stream proceeding
from these two,
that neither of them in fact
precedes it,
although it is night.
9. This eternal spring is hidden
in this living bread for our life’s
sake,
although it is night.
10. It is here calling out to
creatures;
and they satisfy their thirst,
although in darkness,
because it is night.
11. This living spring that I long
for,
I see in this bread of life,
although it is night.
Ancient Streams 