Symbol of star or lily of the snows,
rainbow or root or vine or fruit-filled tree:
these image the immaculate to me
less than a little cloud, a little light cloud rising
from Orient waters cleft by prophecy.
And as the Virgin in a most surprising
maternity bore God and our doomed race,
I who bear God in the mysteries of grace
beseech her: Cloud, encompass God and me.
Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit, O.C.D.
Jessica Powers
The Cloud of Carmel (excerpt), 1946
© All rights reserved
Learn more about Phillip Medhurst’s research on this painting and Tissot’s preparatory drawing held in the John Rylands Library on Phillip Medhurst’s website
Powers, J 1999, The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers, ICS Publications, Washington DC.
Carmelite Quotes 
Yes, I’ve enjoyed other quotations of Sister’s you have posted.
Wow, how beautiful! And a beautiful painting too.
Sister Miriam is a superlative poet.