Thirst of the Night

Written by Sr. Jane M. Abeln -- U.S. Province
Art by Sassoferrato (Giovanni Battista Salvi), The Madonna, Bust Length, at Prayer

In a commentary on St. John of the Cross' poem, Dark Night of the Soul, about its first line “Fired with Love's urgent longings,”I read, “[A] person should not mind if the operations of his faculties are being lost to him; he ought to desire [to] make room in his spirit for the enkindling and burning of the love that this dark and secret contemplation bears and communicates to his soul. . .which, if not hampered, fires the soul in the spirit of Love. . . .”


I’ve dashed to Your font of Living Water,
flung open my soul to be blest,
pursed my lips to Your prancing stream—
but not tasted, nor felt refreshed.

Parched my spirit, uncorked my desire
to sip Your sparkling Wine,
then catch into my chalice-heart
Your assurance, “You are Mine!”

Your Precious Heart oozes blood—
I want to share in that pain.
You look for one to drink with You.
I open my mouth—in vain!

Salty tears augment my thirst.
No matter how many I cry,
Beloved, I love You never enough.
My heart stays crushed and dry.

One line this day from John of the Cross
has touched my spirit at last:
“Burning love—unquenchable—is Your lure
to draw the one You hold fast.”