Reading and Reviewing of the most beautiful poem from the book "A Tear and a Smile" by Khalil Gibran

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Published on Feb 03, 2022

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Ahh... where to begin?

I have read many poems in my times, congesting and digesting so many pieces that make up for the art form of poetry. But this particular one, this particular beauty that was crafted by the great Khalil Gibran, never fails to live me in the uttermost of awes when I read it.

Published in 1914, A tear and a smile is actually a book written by the great Lebanese writer, poet, and philosopher- Khalil Gibran. It is a collection of about 28 short pieces in verses and proses which all explore familiar themes that Gibran is often inclined to. Themes like death, love, creation and spiritual realization. However, there was one particular piece of poetry from this book that spoke to me unlike any other poem has ever done before - A tear and a smile.
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This sublime poem sends a clear message to whomever reads it that we cannot do without pain or sadness in this world and that we cannot live by happiness and joy alone. In fact, the only possible way we can be truly balanced in this world, is by allowing the two emotions to co-exist together – a tear and a smile.

"A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;
A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.
I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live Weary and despairing."

My favorite Stanza from the poem

Needless to say, that this is the type of poetry every single soul should know! If you want to know just how beautiful words can be... then simply read this marvelous poem.

You can listen to my humble audio narration of the poem here:

While you read the poem below...

A Tear and a Smile
by Khalil Gibran

I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart
For the joys of the multitude.
And I would not have the tears that sadness makes
To flow from my every part turn into laughter.

I would that my life remain a tear and a smile.

A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding
Of life's secrets and hidden things.
A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and
To be a symbol of my glorification of the gods.

A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;
A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.

I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live Weary and despairing.

I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the
Depths of my spirit,for I have seen those who are
Satisfied the most wretched of people.
I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and Longing, and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody.

With evening's coming the flower folds her petals
And sleeps, embracingher longing.
At morning's approach she opens her lips to meet
The sun's kiss.

The life of a flower is longing and fulfilment.
A tear and a smile.

The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come
Together and area cloud.

And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys
Until it meets the gentle breeze, then falls weeping
To the fields and joins with brooks and rivers to Return to the sea, its home.

The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting.
A tear and a smile.

And so does the spirit become separated from
The greater spirit to move in the world of matter
And pass as a cloud over the mountain of sorrow
And the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death
And return whence it came.

To the ocean of Love and Beauty----to God.

Thanks for reading and Keep exploring!