The Cherubinic Wanderer: Part 2, God

In all eternity there is no lovelier Tone

Than when man’s heart soundeth with God in Unison. 47 (I. 279)

Now this, now that, thou striv’st to shape

With thine own I for instrument.

Ah, wouldst thou but let God shape all. 48 (IV. 143)

Angelus Silesius was a German mystic of the Counter-Reformation. He was born and baptized Johannes Scheffler in 1624 in the province of Silesia. In 1653, he converted to Catholicism from Lutheranism and spent the rest of his life avidly trying to reconvert the people of Silesia. Today, however, he is known primarily for his mystical poetry, cast primarily in the form of “Alexandrines,” which are simple, rhymed couplets. Of course, they lose much in translation, and many seem quite naïve, but the depth of feeling cannot be denied, and many more can be seen to approach haiku and other short, mystical poetry from around the world.

He published, in 1657, two poetical works. “The Soul’s Spiritual Delight” (Heilige Seelenlust) is a collection of approximately two hundred religious songs that have found their way into Catholic, and Protestant hymn books. “The Cherubic Pilgrim” (Der Cherubinische Wandersmann) is a collection of more than sixteen hundred rhymed couplets, full of deep religious thought expressed in poetic form.