For centuries in times of stress and crisis, suffering people have turned to a transcendent and simple poem, "Dark Night of the Soul," by St. John of the Cross. The solace of the beloved poem is magnified and surrounded here by the graceful, intelligent translation of a generous selection of poems and prose commentaries by the great 16th century Spanish saint. In these new translation, Antonio de Nicolas conveys not only the pure, sweet language of St. John but also the experiences that drive him to publish his spiritual life in the form of poetry.