Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Christian : Catholic 13th Century	About Hadewijch Timeline (13th Century)
<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Hadewijch | Next Poem >>
English version by Mother Columba Hart Original Language Dutch	The Queen of Sheba
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Heart   Lover and Beloved         Recommended Books Christian Mystics: Their Lives and Legacies throughout the Ages, by Ursula King Hadewijch: The Complete Works (Classics of Western Spirituality) , by Mother Columba Hart Meister Eckhart and the Beguine Mystics: Hadewijch of Brabant, Mechthild of Magdeburg, and Marguerite Porete, by Bernard Mcginn Sacred Voices: Essential Women's Voices Through the Ages, Edited by Mary Ford-Grabowsky The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone More >>	The Queen of Sheba Came to Solomon;      That was in order to gain wisdom. When she had found him, indeed, His wonders streamed upon her so suddenly      That she melted in contemplation.           She gave him all,           And the gift robbed her      Of everything she had within --           In both heart and mind,           Nothing remained:      Everything was engulfed in love.     -- from Hadewijch: The Complete Works (Classics of Western Spirituality) , by Mother Columba Hart Amazon.com
<<Previous Poem | View More Poems by Hadewijch | Next Poem >>

Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Building on the Biblical Song of Songs, this sacred (yet undeniably erotic) poem uses the figures of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon to represent the classic spiritual lover and Beloved. The journeying Queen of Sheba coming to King Solomon is the searching soul approaching God the Beloved.

Keeping this in mind, reread this poem again. Hadewijch is saying that in yielding to God the soul becomes nothing, yet is overwhelmed with love and wonders. This is the great spiritual formula: loss of self/ego leads to the Divine Self; death leads to new Life.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.