Song of the Flower XXIII

Khalil Gibran 1883 (Bsharri) – 1931 (New York City)



I am a kind word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature;
I am a star fallen from the
Blue tent upon the green carpet.
I am the daughter of the elements
With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth; I was
Reared in the lap of Summer and I
Slept in the bed of Autumn.

At dawn I unite with the breeze
To announce the coming of light;
At eventide I join the birds
In bidding the light farewell.

The plains are decorated with
My beautiful colors, and the air
Is scented with my fragrance.

As I embrace Slumber the eyes of
Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.

I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

But I look up high to see only the light,
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 18, 2023

1:05 min read
129

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXXXXXXAX XBXX XXX XAXX XXX XXXC BCX
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,033
Words 216
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 9, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3

Khalil Gibran

Khalil Gibran was a Lebanese artist, poet, and writer. more…

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