Women in praise of the sacred : 43 centuries of spiritual poetry by women / edited by Jane Hirshfield.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Hirshfield, Jane, 1953-

Gotham Book Mart Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Poetry--Women authors.

Poetry.

Poetry--Women authors--Translations into English.

Religious poetry--Women authors.

Religious poetry.

Religious poetry--Women authors--Translations into English.

Genre:

Translations.

Penn Provenance:

Gotham Book Mart (former owner) (Gotham Book Mart Collection copy)

Physical Description:

xxiii, 259 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

First HarperPerennial edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : HarperPerennial, 1995.

Summary:

This groundbreaking anthology presents the spiritual life of women throughout history as recorded in their poems, prayers, and songs. Beginning with the hymns of the world's earliest identified author (a Sumerian moon priestess) and continuing to the first half of the twentieth century, it draws from the major religious traditions of East and West as well as from several indigenous cultures. Among the seventy women included are mystics and healers, spiritual teachers and mothers, saints and rebels, freed slaves and queens, each of whom forged a unique way to an authentic voice and genuine spiritual awakening. Their words and stories and the editor's insightful commentaries illuminate fundamental themes of spiritual life that resonate across time, culture, and gender, as well as issues particular to women in their quest for a viable spiritual path.

This collection of luminous and inspiring poems (many in new translations) will be for readers both female and male a rich and enduring sourcebook of spiritual life.

Contents:

Enheduanna (ca. 2300 B.C.E.). from The Hymn to Inanna

Shu-Sin's Ritual Bride (ca. 2000 B.C.E.). Bridegroom, beloved of my heart

Makeda, Queen of Sheba (ca. 1000 B.C.E.). Wisdom is. I fell

Sappho (7th c. B.C.E.). Leave Crete. Evening Star who gathers everything

Sumangalamata (6th c. B.C.E.). At last free

Patacara (6th c. B.C.E.). When they plow their fields

Zi Ye (6th-3rd c. B.C.E.). All night I could not sleep

Song of Songs: The Shulammite (ca. 3rd c. B.C.E.). I am dark, daughters of Jerusalem (Song 1:5-6). At night on my bed I longed for (Song 3:1-5). I was asleep but my heart stayed awake (Song 5:2-6). Come, my beloved (Song 7:12-14)

Pan Zhao (48-117?). Needle and Thread

Gnostic Gospel: Nag Hammadi Library (2nd-4th c.). from The Thunder: Perfect Mind

A Roman Spell (2nd-4th c.?). I bind you by oath

Sabina Lampadius (fl. ca. 377). As a symbol

Antal (8th c.). O sister of wealth. O you who guard over. We rose before dawn

Rabi'a (717-801).

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 243-250) and index.

ISBN:

0060925760 :

9780060925765

OCLC:

32228557