SPANISH ROSES

Following his first two mystical poetry books, Roses for the Most High and Mystic Land and Celtic Saints, Ronnie Smith has composed his third mystical poetic account, this time on the Spanish Mystics. Hispanic contribution to the mystical path of Christianity is pronounced in the Spanish Golden Age of literature and the arts, the 16th and 17th centuries, where the preponderance of the saintly personages in this book lived out their lives of service. In deference to the rest of Europe, Catholic mysticism flourished through- out society during this timeframe because the Spanish held to the belief of Divine Intervention in everyday life. Therefore, mysticism impacted healing, politics, religion, literature, the arts, and social structures. One could say that the Spanish Golden Age of the arts and literature uniquely coincided with the Spanish Golden Age of Mysticism. poetical revelations celebrate the joy and sacrifice these men and women created in their lives of selfless giving to humanity.

Each saintly life was rigorously researched and Ronnie's professional journeys through Spain and mystical encounters weigh heavily in their authenticity. The design of poems in this book intends to celebrate Spanish/Hispanic spirituality given to the world. Spanish spirituality was recognized as deeply devotional and mystically gifted throughout the Spanish Golden Age. A number of his original poems are Spanish poetical forms. He chose one of these forms, the Espinela, to resonate throughout the book on every 8th poem.