One of the best Poem of Khalil Gibran
A Lover's Call
Where are you, my
beloved? Are you in that little paradise, watering the flowers who look upon
you as infants look upon the breast of their mothers?
Or are you in your
chamber where the shrine of virtue has been placed in your honour, and upon
which you offer my heart and soul as sacrifice?
Or amongst the
books, seeking human knowledge, while you are replete with heavenly wisdom?
Oh companion of my
soul, where are you? Are you praying in the temple? Or calling Nature in the
field, haven of your dreams?
Are you in the
huts of the poor, consoling the broken-hearted with the sweetness of your soul,
and filling their hands with your bounty?
You are God's
spirit everywhere; you are stronger than the ages.
Do you have memory
of the day we met, when the halo of your spirit surrounded us, and the Angels
of Love floated about, singing the praise of the soul's deed?
Do you recollect
our sitting in the shade of the branches, sheltering ourselves from humanity,
as the ribs protect the divine secret of the heart from injury?
Remember you the
trails and forest we walked, with hands joined, and our heads leaning against each
other, as if we were hiding ourselves within ourselves?
Recall you the
hour I bade you farewell, and the maritime kiss you placed on my lips? That kiss taught me that joining of lips in
love reveals heavenly secrets which the tongue cannot utter!
That kiss was
introduction to a great sigh, like the Almighty's breath that turned earth into
man.
That sigh led my
way into the spiritual world announcing the glory of my soul; and there it
shall perpetuate until again we meet.
I remember when
you kissed me and kissed me, with tears coursing your cheeks, and you said,
"earthly bodies must often separate for earthly purpose, and must live
apart impelled by worldly intent.
"But the
spirit remains joined safely in the hands of love, until death arrives and
takes joined souls to God.
"Go, my
beloved; love has chosen you her delegate; over her, for she is beauty who
offers to her follower the cup of the sweetness of life. as for my own empty
arms, your love shall remain my comforting groom; you memory, my eternal
wedding."
Where are you now,
my other self? Are you awake in the silence of the night? Let the clean breeze
convey to you my heart's every beat and affection.
Are you fondling
my face in your memory? That image is no longer my own, for sorrow has dropped
his shadow on my happy countenance of the past.
Sobs have withered
my eyes which reflected your beauty and dried my lips which you sweetened with
kisses.
Where are you, my
beloved? Do you hear my weeping from beyond the ocean? Do you understand my
need? Do you know the greatness of my patience?
Is there any
spirit in the air capable of conveying to you the breath of this dying youth?
Is there any secret communication between angels that will carry to you my
complaint?
Where are you, my
beautiful star? The obscurity of life has cast me upon its bosom; sorrow has
conquered me.
Sail your smile
into the air; it will reach and enliven me! breathe your fragrance into the
air; it will sustain me!
Where are you, me
beloved?
Oh, how great is
Love!
And how little am
I!