For many years, I have enjoyed the writings of Kahlil Gabran pronounced (Ha-lil) ( Joo-bran) who lived from 1883 to 1931. He was a Lebanese born poet, philosopher and artist. I first became acquainted with his writings when I somehow had the opportunity to read his 1923 writing "On Children" about the time my own children were trying to formulate their own life journey. That is not an easy time in a mothers life. This is the poem:
ON CHILDREN
Your children are not your children.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
---------------Kahlil Gabran
"The Prophet" is written in a very lyrical and simple style which makes it very readable. I characterize it as having little vignettes of his thoughts on various topics from birth to death.
I hope you enjoy reading this poem.
HUG YOUR CHILDREN AND LET THEM FLY.
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