~~~~~

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, yeild to him,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

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.

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 understanding of Love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart,

And give thanks for another day of Loving.


Give your hearts,

But not into each other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together,

Yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple

stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress

grow not in each other's shadow.


~~~~~~~~
--- Kahlil Gibran ---
excerpts from "the Prophet"