I cannot Dance, O Lord

Originally published at The Catholic Thing

I cannot dance, O Lord,
Unless You lead me.
If You wish me to leap joyfully,
Let me see You dance and sing—
Then I will leap into Love—
And from Love into Knowledge,
And from Knowledge into the Harvest,
The sweetest Fruit beyond human sense.
There I will stay with You, whirling.

Note: Mechthild (c. 1207-c. 1280s or 90s) was the author of The Flowing Light of Divinity, a compendium of visions, prayers, dialogues, and accounts of mystical experiences. This hymn was translated by Jane Hirschfield.