HAPPY BIRTHDAY Khalil Gibran January 6, 1883

"Birth and Death are the two noblest expressions of bravery"....Kahlil Gibran.

https://oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Khalil_Gibran

 
His philosophies, and intense musing beckons the reader to delve
into self, the world, and the universe. His insights, and quips stirs
the imagination. Gibran, inspired by Eastern culture is an enigma. Both
young and more life-experienced writers, scholars, and just plain old
common folk love his writings. One of my favorites,  "On Children"

https://oldpoetry.com/opoem/13488-Khalil-Gibran-Children-Chapter-IV

Within the walls of this writ is intellect.

"Your children are not your children. They are on loan. The wisdom in this poem washes the reader in realism.
As much as we do not want to admit that our children will someday seek
to be free of us, to explore the world on their own, we must. Life
moves forward in leaps and bounds, and our children participate in
these movements. It is rare that parents have the energy and
wherewithal to keep up. It's their turn. This poem is ever-true and
timeless."

Khalil Gibran encapsulates every nuance in life. He never misses a
mark. He speaks in detail of every area of living, and its effect on us
as human being. There are few poems in his vast collection that we
cannot relate to. For instance; "On Joy and Sorrow"

https://oldpoetry.com/opoem/14162-Khalil-Gibran-Joy-And-Sorrow-Chapter-VIII

"And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears"

This is indeed factual. We sometimes drown in the same tears. Khalil
was in-tune with emotions that set our world reeling. He had his finger
on the pulse of humanistic traits that each hold in the palm of their
hand. His comparison/contrast in this work is phenomenal. The abounding
and foremost lines written in this poem of prose (in my opinion) are;

"Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable."

How else can we explain the resounding fact that oft times we are
caught laughing, and crying, all at once? What opposite emotions are
these to be one in the same? For, without sorrow, how would we
entertain joy?"

There is not a work in Gibran's book; "The Prophet" that I
would not recommend. It is one of the most powerful writings I have
ever experienced. I was fortunate enough to read this book as a young
adult, and I must say; it heavily influenced my writing career. His
ideals are tried and true. They leave little room for misgivings or
misunderstanding.

In Gibran's book; "The Madman", the parables and poems are flawless. Let's look at his parable entitled; "God".

https://oldpoetry.com/opoem/81051-Khalil-Gibran-God

In this work, Gibran makes three attempts to hear the voice of God,
each time ascending to the mountain top. He leaves the cap of the
mountain with nothing, for God passes away from giving voice. Finally
the poet spoke to God in the heights, and depths of the world. At last,
God leaned in to speak to him. What the poet finally realizes is; God
can also be discovered in the "valley". Far too often we seek God in
high places. Isn't it wondrous to call forth the reality that God can
also be found low.

In Chapter 9 of "The Madman", Gibran looks at; "The Seven Selves". You must take a look at this to unearth the yourself in his words.

https://oldpoetry.com/opoem/81053-Khalil-Gibran-Chapter-9---The-Seven-Selves

I could go on for countless hours on the wonder of this amazing
philosopher/poet. But I do think it would behoove the reader to set
aside some time for enlightenment, and go to his pages. Go there,
inhale his musing. You will surely come away with light about your
brow.  
"Yesterday is but today's memory, tomorrow is today's dream.”
“The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply.”
See biographies by K. and J. Gibran (rev. ed. 1991), S. Bushrui and J. Jenkins and R. Waterfield (both: 1999).


“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”


He is associated with the American School of Symbolism.


"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”


“It is wrong to think that love comes from long companionship and persevering courtship. Love is the offspring of spiritual affinity and unless that affinity is created in a moment, it will not be created for years or even generations”