Poet: Khalil Gibran
Annotation by Muhammad Nasrullah Khan: The books teach you shouldn't let grief set up in your life, from taking over your life, and from damaging your dreams. Don't let difficult times or difficult times get in the way of your happiness, even when you can't see it. Khalil Gibran, however, thinks that pain is as important as happiness. I chose this poem to illustrate Khalil Gibran's unique perspective. His poems such as this one leave a lasting impression on the reader. Throughout the couplets, you will not be disappointed with your reading experience. The metaphors and imagery are so strong that I used my hands to represent the rising water, coming together, and floating over the land. I have never been moved to do that by any other poem. It is amazing. A second beautiful aspect of this poem is how beautifully it captures emotion and philosophy. Enjoy:
"I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart
For the joys of the multitude.
And I would not have the tears that sadness makes
To flow from my every part turn into laughter.
I would that my life remain a tear and a smile.
A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding
Of life’s secrets and hidden things.
A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and
To be a symbol of my glorification of the gods.
A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;
A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.
I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live Weary and despairing.
I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the
Depths of my spirit, for I have seen those who are
Satisfied the most wretched of people.
I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and Longing, and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody.
With evening’s coming the flower folds her petals
And sleeps, embracing her longing.
At morning’s approach she opens her lips to meet
The sun’s kiss.
The life of a flower is longing and fulfillment.
A tear and a smile.
The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come
Together and area cloud.
And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys
Until it meets the gentle breeze, then falls weeping
To the fields and joins with brooks and rivers to Return to the sea, its home.
The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting.
A tear and a smile.
And so does the spirit become separated from
The greater spirit to move in the world of matter
And pass as a cloud over the mountain of sorrow
And the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death
And return whence it came.
To the ocean of Love and Beauty——to God."
Attributions: Public Domain Work, published on poeticous.com
Annotation: Muhammad Nasrullah Khan (Creative Corner)
Link: https://www.poeticous.com/khalil-gibran/a-tear-and-a-smile
Poet: Khalil Gibran
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