The Complete Poems of San Juan de la Cruz

by Mar�a Baranda (Translator), Paul Hoover (Translator)

María Baranda and Paul Hoover present revitalized translations of some of the most beloved poems of the Golden Age of Spanish literature. In 1578, during months of imprisonment for his reformist beliefs, San Juan de la Cruz composed a series of narrative poems inspired by the Biblical Song of Songs—and, the story goes, a popular love song overheard from his cramped cell—that take God as the beloved. Erotically charged, initially scandalous, his mystical poetry engages with the journey of the soul through the darkest trenches of suffering and despair toward an enlightened spiritual connection with God. For hundreds of years, these poems have resonated deeply with those who search for meaning in the dark, and have influenced generations of poets, artists, and philosophers. This bilingual edition of the  Complete Poems —including “Dark Night” and both the Sanlúcar and Jaén manuscripts of “Spiritual Canticle”—presents an intimate and exceptionally collaborative new translation from María Baranda and Paul Hoover. Baranda, one of the most distinguished Mexican poets of her generation, lends her deft hand with expansive, meditative poetry. Hoover—the accomplished American poet, editor, and translator—offers his dexterity with form and the possibilities of language. The product is uniquely faithful to image and idea, and loyal to the ecstatic lyricism of this canonical text. A volume that hums with the soul’s longing to find solace,  The Complete Poems of San Juan de la Cruz  is a collection to be treasured. 

Genres: Poetry, Spirituality

120 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure this relatively simple and direct translation of St. John's verse is all that superior to earlier efforts, but this is a physically beautiful book with lovely contents, worthy of any contemplative's shelf.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really readable version of the writings of San Juan de la Cruz (St. John of the Cross). All of his poetry has been translated into poetry with Spanish on the facing page. I got this book at an inter library loan but I think if I had more time with it there would have been ample opportunity to read more slowly and incorporate the poems into my prayers. I highly recommend this version. There’s also a fascinating intro to San Juan telling of his monastic life, efforts to reform and imprisonment from which he escaped quite daringly and dramatically.

[David Doel · Rating 4 out of 5]

OF THE DIVINE VERB
Pregnant with
the divine verb,
the Virgin comes this way,
will you give her shelter?

Near the end of this short book, this is the poem I liked best. Most of the poetry went right over my head. By the waters of Babylon also moved me.

St. John of the Cross is regularly mentioned by Thomas Merton in his talks, so blame me, not the poet or translator.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read these as meditations. Grateful for this translation and the opportunity to access them.