I read Kahlil Gibran for the first time when I was 14
He did speak to me then
I was looking at the night sky and I cry for its beauty
and I wanted to be kissed by a boy
I was kissed a million times before that year
I was kissed in my dreams
and my lips carried the secrets of womanhood
which I did not understand ...
See
I told you
Khalil wrote you in this book of love ...
His love was Selma, not Myra ...but she did shine like a Sun
because he loved her
And I am dull as mud
'cause she loves me not
Oh you are not dull
I love you - is that not enough?
Oh just a little playful self-pity -
enough is never enough!
I wrote a wonderful poem this morning
in Afrikaans
pray tell
HUMANIORA
antwoorde worstel tevergeefs
in doodgewone letter-denke
ek voel emosies roer wat Ewigheid besoek
hoekom sal ek my laat bind deur belasting
van gewoontes en gebruike
wat diep behoeftes wig
as die kransduif my na buite roep
(klink sy koer koorsagtig?)
sodat ek die Liefde elders soek
myra
Translated?
answers struggle in vain
within ordinary letter-thoughts
I feel emotions stir, visiting Eternity
why would I allow the burdens
of customs to bind me?
duties which shred my needs
when the rock-pigeon calls me outside
(does its coo sound feverish?)
so that I may search Love
elsewhere
Oh my!
My translation is meager ...
in Afrikaans it is perfect - trust me
~~~~~
Beloved, she sighs,
I have searched the past
and the future
to find you -
now you are here with me
in the present
~~~~~
He took the deck of cards and held it out to her
Take one, he said
She looked at the faces
one by one
lips
eyes
profiles
Oh she dreamed them all
eyebrows dark and beautiful
lashes butterflies shading cheeks
tender lips
telling passionate lies
she dreamed them
she kissed them
the cards all reflected one face
so she handed him the cards
saying
I cherish One Face
within my heart
~~~~
can I reply?
He can speak and he may
Except that he is speechless
Is he that by choice or by chance?
By both
Oh yes - he is still as clever as Cupid himself
clever no
cupid no
cautious yes
stupid yes
don't worry
I love you nevertheless
never the 'less' but all the more
for being stupid and not so sure?
she may be speechless but not silent
and yes deliberately blinded
and blind to what
if she is deliberate not seeing?
blind to the heart's treacherous feelings
oh, she's labeling Cupid treacherous
and not stupid blind!
ha! do not become mixed up by cause and effect
rather focus on love's neglect
cause and effect is Newton's law
love has neither reason or clause!
exactly dear Poet but do not forget
the formulae that Lovers beget
it is more refined than Elixer from heaven
(and you may whisper 'bout poison from hell)
from heaven comes sunshine and rain
from the heart comes both joy and pain
and what is cupid to do with all this
with angst and agony or bliss
Hmmmmmmm he is so innocent, is he not
he shoots out his arrows and ...
forgets the plot!
and while you are under his engendered spell
drinking honey in the very pits of hell
(excellent!)
he turns to seek another victim
and love is transformed again to sin
oh you are clever in your tale and song
you speak of love and me in double tongue
aha ...
as long as that tongue is not slitted
you may be forgiven and acquitted
no not a serpent's one in passages
just double in inquiring messages
the answer to your unspoken question then is this
there is no sin in pain when in the absence
of love's bliss
I am not asking for a kiss
dear Poet
or romantic dreams
I am but joyfully playing
on my beloved wordy strings
and play and fun and laughter's jest
serious when at it's best
like bitter medicine administered with sugar cubes
and needles harsh tips with pliant lube
laughter remains good and fair medicine
and a joyful heart keeps the flesh from sin
but these are lines exchanged
within love's gentle arms
so dearest Poet please do not be too alarmed!
Alarmed, Alarmed? oh no alarm in gentle arms
perhaps then rest and sleep and dreams?
(of course no nightmares and no bloodied screams)
in sleep I have no rest by dreams
but bloody nightmares and piercing screams
but plagued by dreams within the wakening hour?
her skin as smooth and fragrant
as a flower ...
~~~~~~
the evening bell
rings in the darkening skies
revealing the Hour
when the heart within its pain
find mercy in memories' rain
...
Author notes
Please forgive me ... I got carried away ... GRINZ ... thanks to my Muse.
Written April 27th, 2003
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 38 of 38
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Thank you, dearest Joe ... You make me glow with joy!
Love you so much.
Myra -
wow think you grasped the entirety of htis meager understanding that us humans have in the depths and power of love, so many vivid images, from cards to the needles hollow and piercing, anesthesized and awoken, aching and bliss, quite a swirling mysterious journey, I do believe the bait I read of Gibran was wholly realized and touched, in more modern terms and with like impact, and the amazing , the most amazing part, is it was from lass and not Lad, it swirled in the mind of a most gogeous and passionate woman, you have left me with hope I must say, that womankind carry Gibrans beautiful swirling passionate emotions in kind, a hope I must say makes me feel as if we, as 2 different gender, are more alike than most people would love to lead us all to believe, and that is certainly a wondrous and beautiful thought,
I must not only thank your muse, but the beautiful author of these thoughts as well
Kindest regards and many warm smiles,
most sincerely,
joe -
Haha i felt so proud, smirking to myself as I read your poem in afrikaans. you're right...it really is perfect in a way that could not be translated into english. Great work...it really is inspiring.
~Dreamer (AKA Mada) -
I echo the appraisal of your peers; this was an incredible write showing the playful power of your mind that wanders among and above the mediocre crowd radiating it's bliss. I enjoyed reading this wonderful exploration of the mind. Thanks for creating and sharing. Take care,
Rage of Reason -
wow...i was amused bu this write! it was really awesome! Thanks for sharing!
With Love.
*Lady*
ps. thanks for the comment! i really appeciate it!
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I have enjoyed every line i this poem. Great writing!
Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Ali -
Written for reasons
'Oh she dreamt them all'
I was reading, and liking this poem, and then I read that, and I jumped a little in selfish glee - plucked that line and held it close. Sometimes I feel guilty for picking out and liking parts of other authors' poems that apply to my way of thinking or represent what I want to get across in my own work. It feels like an adulteration of their purpose. I can't help it though, there were several lines in here which just launched forth such delight in language ("Alarmed, Alarmed? oh no alarm in gentle arms") - ah, it's heady and alight.
I too was impressed by your variation in form, metre, and rhyme throughout this piece - I found myself storing that away as a pretty damn fine method of keeping the reader from becoming comfortable (and thus disinterested). There is also a fluctuating lucidity which lends a rhythm all of its own. This is good poetry. -
Wow Myra that is an impressive piece of work. I agree with Wendy, I too find my attention span limited and this had me captivated right through to the end. I do like the way you blend the different styles as you meander through your subject matter. You have a wonderful gift and I am fortunate to be able to share in it.
Henri -
this is my favorite poet that you tribute
your younger years and finding yourself
in the many times of discovery
the beginning stanza and last stanza are
my favorite for they reflect some of the dreams
that are dangling free, yet to be met
in time.....
love you
Tamara -
Thank you for reading Kathy, and for a very kind comment.
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Excellent
My hats off to your muse and to you Myra Wow! What a beautiful journey you took the reader (namely me LOL) on. It is long, but it kept my interest throughout and I wouldn't have minded reading more and this touched me most...
the evening bell
rings in the darkening sky
revealing the Hour
when the heart within its pain
find mercy in memories
A wonderful write! Thank you for sharing your wonderful and inspirational soul...
~Kathy -
Thank you, Poets, for your patience and time - you inspire me with your comments and endurance.
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i couldn't have carried this piece like you did :-) For a long-poem, this definately has enough intriguing rhyming and powerful content to hold the reader. I have a very short attention span, so for me to want to keep reading is a good sign its a strong write :-)) I have trouble "holding onto the voice" for more than a page or a page and a half... seems i end up in another poem about then...lol
I loved the part about wanting to be kissed by a boy... nice.
Really enjoyed this one,
~ Wendy -
i enjoy reading works like this, when the poet begins to ramble down a road unexplored in quite this way heretofore...quite playful, this piece is. full of intriguing twists and abrupt changes. get carried away more often!
bonnie -
This was well written, I like how you have to really read this a couple of times to try and grasp what you were trying to convey, I also like the fact that you are myseterious, I admire that in a poet =) This was great work and I enjoyed reading it, thank you for sharing your thoughts !
-
a big hairy naked man called moe
::Gulp:: That was a good bit to take in at once. It began with a clarity that was absent towards the ending, although it doesn't take away from the quality of your workmanship... due in part to your rather obscure lyricism. Nevertheless, good stuff. -Zaotik -
aphrodisiacal
Wow . . . my usual choice words have been pretty much laid waste.
I glomp it. A lot. It's rather ramble-y, but cool and crisp and excruciatingly familiar, like a dream I once had but can't remember.
Well done. -
thought provoking as always!!!
I love your muse, LOL
big hugs
Tamara -
Absolutely INCREDIBLE I am Just left totally speechless this was so good. thank you ever so mauch for shareing
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As usual a Masterpiece! It was a little long for my tastes but exquisitely written.
Red -
Thank you, Dionysian Mirth - good to see you ...
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Thank you LMM and Chris for reading . And for the kind comments.
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Nice, Nice!
I like the many plays on words and the overall whimsical mood. Some of the images aren't quite fully developed, in my opinion, but it all balances out nicely. Very thaught-provoking. -
so many beautiful images here...a tad bit confusing cause i kinda lose track after a certain distance, but i concentrated and kept reading....i liked this a lot...
you remind me more of the classic poetry ...i am not a very read person, meaning, i don't read too much, but i'm working on it....
keep up the good work
very beautiful words, and so casual at the same time
sweet
keep it up
chris -
so many beautiful images here...a tad bit confusing cause i kinda lose track after a certain distance, but i concentrated and kept reading....i liked this a lot...
you remind me more of the classic poetry that i would read like keats, well, he's the only one i used to read, but i sort of compare your work to his....
i am not a very read person, meaning, i don't read too much, but i'm working on it....
keep up the good work
very beautiful words, and so casual at the same time
sweet
keep it up
chris -
a truly playful piece! kept me wanting more i especially like the little tanka at the end
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Thank you for reading, Timothy!
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What can I say except, "That Was Fantastic!"
Keep up the wonderful works here, I enjoyed this!
Thanks for sharing and pen on!
-Timothy -
Thank you, dearest friends - please read http://leb.net/gibran/
Love you! -
WONDERFUL!
This is wonderful! A delight to read! I know not of Gibrans work, but you have given me the desire to seek his work out and read, read, read!!! I just love it when something sparks the imagination like this, and yes you simply have to run with it! How beautiful!!!!!!!! Darianna x -
wasn't gunna do this yet but you made mention of whom is my favourite and possibly the greatest influence on my own words bar that of the music i listen too
I will add him to the archives tonight
though I fear that it will be some time before I can add as much of his words as I would wish
The story of Selma does echo so often through both his poetry and his words of prose
you captured much of the essence in Slema's sad tale here Myra
(whether you meant this or not)
ah but sweet are the words of the poet from Balbek (sp)
hugs dear one
the memeories of this beauty tear at my irises -
Myra, this may tickle you as it did me when i found out. I go to school with one of Kahlil Gibran's descendents. The young man's first name is Gibran, and his father is the president of my college. He was in my British Literature class last year.
I am not askin' for a kiss
dear Poet
or romantic dreams
I am but joyfully playing
on my beloved wordy strings... I love these lines here. They are so playful.
I have not read Gibran myself... would not have even know the name if not for my classmate. I will have to check out his work. Thank you, Dear One, for the incentive to do so.
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I would have enjoyed this alot more if it was not for my ignorance of not knowing the names you speak of.
This is my fault as a reader and maybe when I understand more I'll read it again to truly appreciate it. I'm sure (considering it is you) that is is fabulous
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Bravo..bravo!!! Poetess you have hit the nail with this one.. what an amazing write.. it took me to amny beautiful places.. I love the way you have interspersed conversations between the pieces.. brilliant work my friend
~GILL~~xx -
Thank you, Johnny, for the very kind comment ... I am so glad that you read this. Even though I did ASK you and Travis to do it LOL ...
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Genious!
Dearest Myra,
This is simply beautiful. It could be a Shakespearian play. You words simply flow over me in this piece. This is really well written on all counts. You have an amazing mind. This particular pice could almost be a play. This is so very well written. You have a trophy piece here, something to be very proud of. Alas! You have a golden pen! Thank you ever so much for sharing this work of genious with me
~~~Johnny Wheeler~~~ -
Thank you, Travis, for honouring me by reading it.
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oh, this is just delightful!
this is quite different from anything of yours
that I have read before. I love the playfulness
of it.
and it reminds me of how t.s. eliot writes and rhymes,
and how playfully excellent his poetry sounds.
I am not askin' for a kiss
dear Poet
or romantic dreams
I am but joyfully playing
on my beloved wordy strings
sometimes when poetry rises up in your soul
you just have to dance playfully, joyously
with your muse. you've done that here.
just a delightful offering, myra.
I love it!
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