The Poetry of St. John of the Cross

offers me three signs
that I might be ready
to taste some of the richness
and reach some of the depths and heights
of Contemplative Prayer.

He asks
if I have I stopped receiving satisfaction
from discursive prayer and meditation,
practiced for so much of my life.

He asks
if I have become less and less inclined
to fix my imagination and senses
on any particular object,
internal or external.

He asks
if I am content
to simply remain in
the loving awareness of God
without any particular knowledge
or understanding.

All these signs are so counter-institutional.
All these signs are so counter-intellectual.
All these signs are so immeasurable.

He asks . . .

and my answer is . . .

. . . in process.