Women in Praise of the Sacred

This anthology presents women's spiritual life as it has been expressed in poems, prayers and songs from the world's earliest known author (a Sumerian moon priestess) up to the first half of the 20th century, drawing from the major religious traditions of East and West, as well as several indigenous cultures. These poets were wives and mothers, mystics and saints, freed slaves and queens, nuns and rebels. Their biographies and the editor's commentaries illuminate the deep themes of spiritual life that resonate across time, cultures and gender, and add meaning and connection to collection of poems. Jane Hirshfield is the author of The October Palace.