Rudolf Steiner’s Calendar of the Soul Verse 1
Introduced by Fred Dennehy
Verse 1 of the Calendar of the Soul (the Easter Verse) is about the movement from soul to spirit, and the work of joy in finding the sacred from the commonplace.
Wenn aus den Weltenweiten
Die Sonne spricht zum Menschensinn
Und Freude aus den Seelentiefen
Dem Licht sich eint im Schauen
Dann ziehen aus der Selbstheit Hülle
Gedanken in die Raumesfernen
Und binden dumpf
Des Menschen Wesen an des Geistes Sein.
When out from far and wide
The sun calls to the human sense and mind
And joy from depths of soul with light grows one
In act of beholding,
Thoughts from their cuticle of self break free
Into the vast of space, and groping bind
Human essence with spirit’s being.
(Translation: a composite of Barfield and Bamford versions)
The Servant-Girl at Emmaus (A Painting by Valázquez)
A Poem by Denise Levertov
“The Kitchen Maid with the Supper at Emmaus” by Diego Valázquez c.1620
The poet Denise Levertov was inspired by this painting to tell the story of the Servant Girl at Emmaus.
She listens, listens, holding her breath.
Surely that voice
is his—the one
who had looked at her, once,
across the crowd, as no one ever had looked?
Had seen her?
Had spoken as if to her?
Surely those hands were his,
taking the platter of bread from hers just now?
Hands he’d laid on the dying and made them well?
Surely that face—?
The man they’d crucified for sedition and blasphemy.
The man whose body disappeared from its tomb.
The man it was rumored now some women had seen this morning,
alive?
Those who had brought this stranger home to their table
don’t recognize yet with whom they sit.
But she in the kitchen,
absently touching the wine jug she’s to take in,
a young Black servant intently listening,
swings round and sees
the light around him
and is sure.
-Denise Levertov