Khalil Gibran, April 1913
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| Born | Jubran Khalil Jubran January 6, 1883 Bsharri, Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, Ottoman Syria(modern day Lebanon) |
|---|---|
| Died | April 10, 1931 (aged 48) New York City, United States |
| Occupation | Poet, painter, writer, philosopher,theologian, visual artist |
| Nationality | Lebanese |
| Genres | Poetry, parable, short story |
| Literary movement | Mahjar, New York Pen League |
| Notable work(s) | The Prophet, Broken Wings |
The Prophet is a book of 26 prose poetry essays written in English by the Lebanese artist, philosopher and writer Kahlil Gibran.[1] It was originally published in 1923 by Alfred A. Knopf. It is Gibran's best known work. The Prophet has been translated into over forty different languages[2] and has never been out of print.[3] (Wikipedia)
A friend of mine that I hadn't seen since high school gave me this book, (probably about two years ago now), she moved back to our home state from living out west for about a decade.The book was a gift to her from a boyfriend in her senior year of high school...I had never heard of it before and she mentioned that she thought I'd like it and that she'd found an extra copy at the local free section at the transfer station AKA "The Mall." Ha!
Any way...this collection is rich and deeply wise...it sits next to my copy of the Tao Te Ching because it feels similar in it's timeless wisdom.
It's the sort of writing that one might choose to digest in small portions...one can read it in a single sitting but in order to glean all the gems...little bites are best.
It's truly beautiful writing...
Here's a section that I find magical:
On Eating and Drinking
Kahlil Gibran
Kahlil Gibran
But since you must kill to eat, and rob the newly born of its mother's milk to quench your thirst, let it then be an act of worship.
And let your board stand an altar on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innocent in man.
When you kill a beast say to him in your heart,
"By the same power that slays you, I too am slain; and I too shall be consumed.
For the law that delivered you into my hand shall deliver me into a mightier hand.
Your blood and my blood is naught but the sap that feeds the tree of heaven."
And when you crush an apple with your teeth, say to it in your heart,
"Your seeds shall live in my body,
And the buds of your tomorrow shall blossom in my heart,
And your fragrance shall be my breath,
And together we shall rejoice through all the seasons."
And in the autumn, when you gather the grapes of your vineyards for the winepress, say in your heart,
"I too am a vineyard, and my fruit shall be gathered for the winepress,
And like new wine I shall be kept in eternal vessels."
And in winter, when you draw the wine, let there be in your heart a song for each cup;
And let there be in the song a remembrance for the autumn days, and for the vineyard, and for the winepress....
Thank you for joining me in this moment for favo(u)rites to reflect on the talented gift of this particular poet.
20 comments:
Excellent excerpts, Hannah. I'll need to see if I still have my copy, or if it wandered away (as my poetry books have a way of doing) ~ M
I last read The Prophet at age 20. I wonder how differently I would read it now...
If only we could show such respect for all that we receive so bountifully and with little regard in our daily lives.
It is little books like these that contain the essence of wisdom - such a gift to mankind.
Thank you for sharing Gibran with us today, Hannah.
Thank you for introducing me to it. I will definitely give it some attention. I'd never heard of this book or writer before today
Thank you, Hannah! I've got a rather fancy copy of this on my shelf--one I haven't opened in decades. I'll take it down later today. I remember particularly loving the sections on parenting and children and love.
Great stuff, especially this line:
"Your blood and my blood is naught but the sap that feeds the tree of heaven."
I'm so thrilled that you're all enjoying Kahlil Gibran! Thank you, everyone for visiting and sharing in the experience.
Yes, I agree, Kerry and thank you! :)
some excellent pieces...and a new discovery for me...
I have read his work and I am still amaze by his verses ~ Thanks for sharing his wonderful words with us Hannah ~
Grace
I had always heard of "The Prophet" but don't think I ever actually read it. It is remarkably relevant to this day. Thank you.
When I was young, my godmother gave me a copy of this book as a gift. It is wonderfully wise, and I'm so pleased you count it as a favourite.
K
I do not have a copy of Gibran as even the cheaper ones from old book stores I invariably gave away to those who needed a life in perspective. I recall his comments on living in New York as a city - about the time I lived there... and when I too felt kinship with the great sentimental Southern novels- Look Homeward Angel and You can't go home again... what a Ceder of Lebanon as much the poetry for the human condition as it is close to what is hidden in great mysteries
Hannah, great choice. Gibran has been important to me most of my life. A beautiful soul.
An old favourite poet, Hannah, and a lovely autumnal choice on which to close your piece...I am all for being a vineyard. Thanks.
Wonderful Hannah!
A fitting pick~ Thank you for sharing this remarkable voice~
I have a copy that my father bought for me when I was about 15. It's very special to me because he died in 1981
I am Catholic and quite a few years back attended eucharistic adoration monthly. Once this was one of the books I brought in - as to me his poetry is prayer. Some "old fart" told me I could only bring in a Bible... I was young enough to not say "fiddlesticks". Today I would! And he is in my bedside bookcase :) Nice choice, Hannah.
Hannah, this was perfect. Gibran is one of my favorites, and I've read passages from "On Love" at many weddings.
Also, he had a book called, I think, "Jesus of Nazareth," imagining what other people around Jesus thought of him... mystical and insightful.
Wonderful choice of quotes, too. Amy
Hannah, this was perfect. Gibran is one of my favorites, and I've read passages from "On Love" at many weddings.
Also, he had a book called, I think, "Jesus of Nazareth," imagining what other people around Jesus thought of him... mystical and insightful.
Wonderful choice of quotes, too. Amy
oh yes, very nice. i too think of Kahlil Gibran in association with weddings, so it was good to step back and enjoy in a broader/different context. thank you, Hannah.
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