Post by Thoithoi O'Cottage on Aug 14, 2015 14:44:25 GMT 5.5
Song Of The Flower
by Khalil Gibran
An Observation
The Text
Notes
from the Blue tent upon the green carpet (3-4): from the blue sky to the green/grassy earth
As I embrace Slumber (17): when I sleep
I am the last gift of the living to the dead (26): We the living people offer flower to the dead, and this is the last thing we give people when they die.
by Khalil Gibran
An Observation
Most of Khalil Gibran's poems, like those of most writing during the middle and romantic ages (and many are still writing in this tradition), are didactic, and I like didactic poetry less than non-didactic poetry. Didactic poems are usually loquacious and characteristically ignore the artistic aspect of the form, though they often eloquently present their moral lessons.
In this poem, for him to come to the last three-line stanza,
In this poem, for him to come to the last three-line stanza,
But I look up high to see only the light,Gibran writes the six preceding stanzas. However, no sentence in all these stanzas says something any other sentences in these stanzas don't essentially say. Hence, essentially, the first six stanzas are essentially repetitive, and the content would not have been different if the metaphors and symbols used are replaced by other appropriate metaphors and symbols.
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.
The Text
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 [5]
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 [10]
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 [15]
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. [20]
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; [25]
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. [30]
Notes
from the Blue tent upon the green carpet (3-4): from the blue sky to the green/grassy earth
As I embrace Slumber (17): when I sleep
I am the last gift of the living to the dead (26): We the living people offer flower to the dead, and this is the last thing we give people when they die.