Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Christian : Catholic

16th Century

About Vittoria da Colonna

Timeline (1492 - 1547)

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English version by
Willis Barnstone

Original Language
Italian

I live on this depraved and lonely cliff

Themes

Birds

Bliss

Bower

Lover and Beloved

Smile

Recommended Books

	The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone

I live on this depraved and lonely cliff
like a sad bird abhorring a green tree
or splashing water. I move forcefully
away from those I love, and I am stiff
even before myself so that my thoughts
may rise and fly to him: sun I adore
and worship. Though their wings could hurry more,
they race only to him. The forest rots
until the instant when they reach that place.
Then deep in ecstasy, though quick, they feel
a joy beyond all earthly joy. I reel,
and yet if they could recreate his face
as my mind craving and consuming would,
then here perhaps I'd own the perfect good.

-- from The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Vittoria da Colonna

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World