Song of the Soul that Rejoices in Knowing God by Faith (St. John of the Cross)

  For I know well the spring that flows and runs,  

although it is night. 

  

That eternal spring is hidden, 

for I know well where it has its rise, 

although it is night. 

  

I do not know its origin, nor has it one, 

but I know that every origin has come from it, 

although it is night. 

I know that nothing else is so beautiful, 

and that the heavens and the earth drink there, 

although it is night. 

  

I know well that it is bottomless 

and no one is able to cross it, 

although it is night. 

  

Its clarity is never darkened, 

and I know that every light has come from it, 

although it is night. 

I know that its streams are so brimming

they water the lands of hell, the heavens, and earth,

although it is night.

I know well the stream that flows from this spring

is mighty in compass and power,

although it is night.

I know the stream proceeding from these two,

that neither of them in fact precedes it,

although it is night.

The eternal spring is hidden

in this living bread for our life’s sake,

although it is night.

It is here calling out to creatures;

and they satisfy their thirst, although in darkness,

because it is night.

This living spring that I long for,

I see in this bread of life,

although it is night.

--St. John of the Cross, 

Cantar del alma que se huelga 

de conocer a Dios por fe

Image source

Poem source (with the poem in the original Spanish)