#25: What is Love?
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If you're thinking “Baby don't hurt me” then think again.
Today's poem is Kahlil Gibran's On Love from The Prophet.
I really look up to this guy and his writing.
He was one of those rare writers who actually transcend the barrier between East and West, and could justifiably call himself – though a Lebanese and a patriot – a citizen of the world.
From www.kahlilgibran.com/man-poet.html
Scroll down to read On Love.
Sunday Gratitude
🙏 To my Grandfather. It was his 11th remembrance last night. He was a well of creative inspiration through his photography, writing and being. Thank you Doodoo. I miss you, I love you, and I forgive you. Thank you.
He inspired Babu, for those of you who dipped with me into Maskats world last year. The grandfather scenes are pivotal and so was hanging out with him.
🙏 Gratitude also goes out to Rajia Ragab, who was there for me as I processed his death back then. Incidentally, she also took me to Kahlil Gibran’s beautiful monastery in Bhsarri, Lebanon, a long time ago. Now that I am studying his works closely, I feel very connected to him having visited his resting place.
It's a beautiful location in Lebanon if you are ever visiting. Oh Lebanon, how beautiful and how sad, always both.
The Artist's Way Week 7
Morning Pages 😮💨
It's not getting easier to pour my soul out in the morning. I find myself wondering if I would rather use all this journaling time to create instead.
Artist's Date 😱
I went to another open mic, and bombed this time. I had no kudos and no sweet words after. I felt dark, like something was wrong with me for having such heavy poems. I noticed wanting to make my content lighter, and then I realized that I am appeasing the audience.
I caught my Censor/Saboteur in action though and worked through it. I wrote a really dark poem about that as well in celebration. I realize that my poet character is a dark one, and I accept him fully and completely.
Craft Updates ✅
Very focused on the book of heart break poems this week. Do you know any chapbook publishers? Connect me!
Season 2 of the Gumpcast is officially production! First two episodes coming along nicely. So excited to share this with you early next year.
Anyways, what is love, you ask?
On Love
by Kahlil Gibran
Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love.
And he raised his head and looked upon
the people, and there fell a stillness upon
them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to
him,
Though the sword hidden among his
pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in
him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he
crucify you. Even as he is for your growth
so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and
caresses your tenderest branches that quiver
in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and
shake them in their clinging to the earth.
•
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto
himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred
fire, that you may become sacred bread for
God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you
that you may know the secrets of your
heart, and in that knowledge become a
fragment of Life’s heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only
love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover
your nakedness and pass out of love’s
threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you
shall laugh, but not all of your laughter,
and weep, but not all of your tears.
•
Love gives naught but itself and takes
naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be
possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say,
“God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am
in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course
of love, for love, if it finds you worthy,
directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill
itself.
But if you love and must needs have
desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook
that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own under-
standing of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart
and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate
love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with grati-
tude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the
beloved in your heart and a song of praise
upon your lips.Thank you, Khalil Gibran.
✌️+ ❤️
Omar