St. Hildegard was certainly known for her creativity. Besides creating the music of the angels, she was also an author, a playwright, and a poet. Additionally, it must take a creative mind to come up with alternative approaches in scientific ventures, and I think that is evident in her development and discovery of natural remedies, as well.
Today I decided to explore her poetry, and I am loving it. I started with a simple Google search for “the poetry of St. Hildegard.” The first site I found (here) has links to several of her poems. A few others just linked directly to a particular poem. Remembering that I teach mathematics, not English, please be patient with me as I share some thoughts about a few of my favorites.
Let’s start with this one:
The Love of All Love overflows into all Glorious from ocean's depths beyond the farthest star, Bounteous in loving all creation; For to the King most High Love has given her kiss of peace. (found here)
I like the simplicity of this poem. It is an ode to the abundant love of God, reminding us that His love can be found throughout our world. How often do we take time to marvel at God’s creation and recognize it as a loving gift for us?
I do have a question. Since I am not a literature teacher, I have to ask. Maybe one of you knows the answer. Is it a common convention among poets and authors to personify love in a feminine form, to use feminine pronouns? …or is that something that Hildegard chose on her own?
Here’s another one:
“I am the supreme fiery force That kindles every spark of life; What I have breathed on will never die, I order the cycle of things in being: Hovering round in sublime flight, Wisdom lends it rhythmic beauty. I am divine fiery life Blazing over the full-ripened grain; I gleam in the reflection of the waters, I burn in the sun and moon and stars, In the breeze I have secret life Animating all things and lending them cohesion. I am life in all its abundance, For I was not released from the rock of ages Nor did I bud from a branch Nor did I spring from a man’s begetting: In me is the root of life. Spirit is the root which buds in the word And God is the intelligible spirit. (found here)
Reading the description of this poem, it sounds like this is intended to portray the words that Hildegard heard from one of her visions. I do enjoy the imagery in this piece, which seems to mimic some of the symbolism in Sacred Scripture. For example, God uses fire several times in the Bible, such that we consider it an important symbol for baptism and many church celebrations. I always enjoy the Easter Vigil mass that starts at the fire outside and proceeds by candlelight for most of the extended Liturgy of the Word.
We believe that Scriptures are words inspired by God and breathed by the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about Jesus Christ. Similarly, Jesus breathes on the Apostles and shares the Holy Spirit with them. Again, Hildegard connects to this divine relationship in the first stanza, “What I have breathed on will never die.” What a great message of hope for us, that the Holy Spirit is with us and will always be with us.
I am also drawn to the line that says, “In the breeze I have secret life.” I think this paints a picture of God always present with us, even when we don’t notice. He is always surrounding us in his love, even when we don’t appreciate it. He flows freely like the wind in the trees, breathing life to the world.
I hope this brief glimpse at the poetry of St. Hildegard was interesting to you. If you are a lover of poetry, you should look into her work. Who knows how it might speak to you.
Lord God, thank you for the gift of beauty and love that surrounds us in this world. Open our eyes to see You in the beauty of Your creation. Help us to appreciate the creative gifts shared by people like St. Hildegard to show us Your love. Guide us to share our own gifts in the world so that we might help others to see You, too.