Let all who are hungry come in and eat. let all who are needy come in and make Passover.

The Dark Night of The Soul

On a dark night, kindled in love with yearnings - oh, happy chance! -
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.

In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised-oh happy chance! -
In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.

In the happy night, In secret, when none save me nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save for which burned in my heart.

This light guided me more surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me!
A place where none appeared

Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with the lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!

Upon my flowery breast, kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caresed him, and the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.

The breeze blew from the turret as I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck and caused all my senses to be suspended.

I remained, lost to oblivivion; my face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.

~St John of the Cross