Aug 21 2026
Symeon the New Theologian – The fire rises in me
The fire rises in me
by Symeon the New Theologian
English version by Ivan M. Granger
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.
— from Real Thirst: Poetry of the Spiritual Journey, by Ivan M. Granger
/ Image by Dewang Gupta /
I know it has been far too long since our last poem email.
In recent months I have needed to focus my energies on my work as a database application developer. I was preparing a major presentation on AI, which I delivered at a developer’s conference. The presentation went well, and I am now back and rediscovering my regular rhythms — which should once again include poetry.
In fact, I had a nice moment just yesterday morning. I was sitting at a coffee shop reading The Book of Mystical Chapters, by John Anthony McGucking, a book of contemplative sayings from the early Christian tradition, especially Eastern Orthodox voices. While I was sitting there reading and sipping my matcha latte, a man walked up to me, drawn by the book. He said he knew the book well because he discussed it in a course he taught. It was a sweet moment of talking about early Christianity, poetry, and doorways into deeper exploration of the mystics — and discovery of figures, like Symeon the New Theologian.
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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!
Recommended Books: Symeon the New Theologian
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Symeon the New Theologian
Turkey (949 – 1032) Timeline |