From its recorded beginning before Christ, this biblical poem was widely, and in fact exclusively, interpreted both by Jews and Christians as a hymn of God's passionate love for his chosen people. The Song of Songs is however a mysterious book, and the more modern reading of it as a celebration of human erotic love has largely displaced this older interpretation. Here, the author presents a contemporary mystical reading, with reference to some later Christian poetry, including John Donne, George Herbert and R. S. Thomas.

Strike the Cloud presents the teaching of the 14th century spiritual classic The Cloud of Unknowing in a contemporary form, through selecting and commenting on its main themes. It explores how The Cloud has been adapted by contemporary teachers of contemplative prayer, and outlines ways in which it is relevant to the bigger ecumenical and interfaith picture of today.