Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Christian : Eastern Orthodox 10th Century	About Symeon the New Theologian Timeline (949 - 1032)
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English version by Ivan M. Granger Original Language Greek	The fire rises in me,
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Fire   Heart   Light   Silence   Sun   Recommended Books The Book of Mystical Chapters: Meditations on the Soul's Ascent from the Desert Fathers and Other Early Christian Contemplatives, Translated by John Anthony McGuckin Christian Mystics: Their Lives and Legacies throughout the Ages, by Ursula King The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell Hymns of Divine Love: Songs of praise by one of the great mystics of all church history, by Symeon the New Theologian / Channeled by Gearoge A. Maloney, S.J. In the Light of Christ: St. Symeon the New Theologian -- Life, Spirituality, Doctrine, by Basil Krivocheine More >>	The fire rises in me,      and lights up my heart. Like the sun! Like the golden disk! Opening, expanding, radiant‹      Yes!      ‹a flame! I say again:      I don't know      what to say! I'd fall silent ‹If only I could‹ but this marvel      makes my heart leap, it leaves me open mouthed      like a fool, urging me      to summon words      from my silence.
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

This is a poem of fire and silence.

Why fire? In ecstasy, there is often a sense of heat -- filled with immense love -- that permeates the body. This warmth seems to emerge from the seat, flares in the belly, and rises upward, fanning out at the heart.

The fire rises in me,
and lights up my heart.

As this fire moves through the body, it also moves through the awareness, consuming all thoughts (or, more accurately, the tremors from which thoughts emerge).

I say again:
     I don't know
     what to say!

This fire burns away even the thought of "I" -- only the sense of this living flame remains.

it leaves me open mouthed
     like a fool...

But the heart, giddy with the expanding vista of bliss, nonetheless wants to share its joy. Though it has no words left, it still wishes to speak of "this marvel,"

urging me
     to summon words
     from my silence.


Have a day of bliss, fire and silence!

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.