“If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don’t, they never were” Kahlil Gibran
Inspiration: When Love Beckons…
Sting – If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Song of Love XXIV by Khalil Gibran
I am the lover’s eyes, and the spirit’s
Wine, and the heart’s nourishment.
I am a rose. My heart opens at dawn and
The virgin kisses me and places me
Upon her breast.
I am the house of true fortune, and the
Origin of pleasure, and the beginning
Of peace and tranquility.
I am the gentle Smile upon his lips of beauty.
When youth overtakes me he forgets his toil,
and his Whole life becomes reality of sweet dreams.
I am the poet’s elation,
And the artist’s revelation,
And the musician’s inspiration.
I am a sacred shrine in the heart of a
Child, adored by a merciful mother. Contd below
When love beckons, follow it or, at least, acknowledge the gift and pass it on. Since I’m on a sentimental journey with Khalil Gibran this week, I’ll share two of my favorite Gibran love poems with you: Song of Love XXIV and Love. They are exquisite and go straight to the heart of the matter; unencumbered by confusing words.
“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” Kahlil Gibran
Inspiration: When Love Beckons…
I appear to a heart’s cry; I shun a demand;
My fullness pursues the heart’s desire;
It shuns the empty claim of the voice.
I appeared to Adam through Eve
And exile was his lot;
Yet I revealed myself to Solomon, and
He drew wisdom from my presence.
I smiled at Helena and she destroyed Tarwada;
Yet I crowned Cleopatra and peace dominated
The Valley of the Nile.
I am like the ages — building today
And destroying tomorrow;
I am like a god, who creates and ruins;
I am sweeter than a violet’s sigh;
I am more violent than a raging tempest.
Gifts alone do not entice me;
Parting does not discourage me;
Poverty does not chase me;
Jealousy does not prove my awareness;
Madness does not evidence my presence.
Oh seekers, I am Truth, beseeching Truth;
And your Truth in seeking and receiving
And protecting me shall determine my
Behavior.
Lyrics via PoemHunter.com
Whenever I read the words in these poetic songs of love, I find another nugget, another gift that sheds light on the subject of love… It isn’t syrupy or blind, but powerful with knowledge and mixed emotions. It is Truth; unfettered by promises and lies.
“Love possesses not nor will it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love.” Kahlil Gibran
Inspiration: When Love Beckons…
Sting – IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
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.
Contd Below
For as love crowns you, it also crucifies you… The thorns of love are sharp and shifting. We welcome it with excitement and hope that the invitation to love lasts. When it bites, it is merciless but like moths to a flame, we keep going back for more. More Below!
“Love is the only flowers that grows and blossoms without the aid of seasons.” Kahlil Gibran
Inspiration: When Love Beckons…
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.
But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor,
Into the season-less world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter,
and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,”
but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love,
for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
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;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart
and a song of praise upon your lips.
Khalil Gibran
Lyrics via PoemHunter.com
If we seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure, we will be in for lots of surprises; for love is more than the pleasantries we share. It includes the darkest hours, the painful memories, and the unrequited yearnings of many a heart. All of it and more add up to Love. What are your thoughts? Have you read any of the Gibran Love poems above? What other poems/songs on Love and Life come to mind? Do you relax with an open heart when love beckons or do you fight it? How do you view love? Do share! Thank you.
*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience!
Positive Motivation Tip: Everyone deserves to be experience the joy of pure love. As we give, we receive… the gift begins with love.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All photos Love Rose via Wikipedia and/or I Love You by Doug88888, Canon Love by Phalaenoptis Aphrodite, Love by Gregory Jordan, via Flickr Poem/Lyrics via PoemHunter.com
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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