Because Leslie suggested it and because I have been truly blessed with a bounty of friends whose uniqueness and honesty continuously challenge me to embark on new endeavors, reflect on unfamiliar ideas, and strive to become better than I am, I turn again to Gibran's, The Prophet, for my poetry choice this week. Know my dear friends, near and far, how precious you are to me and how much I appreciate you. Your presence is a manifestation of God's love in my life.
On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
5 comments:
Dearest Beth, the "common-law" friend/partner/godparent of my child, who must now, due to the decade and a half we've already invested in one another's lives (including the co-ownership of a two-flat for five of them), legally love me forever and forever, warts and all, ; )
I thank you for this most precious description of friendship. That I can come to you with my hunger and seek you for peace is a blessing and a proof to me that God is merciful and good!
Love to you!
M
Beautiful Beth. I can count on you and Molly for beautiful. I'll provide the humor, lighthearted smiles. :)
A beautiful poem, Beth. Having left too many friends in my life (moving, traveling, etc.), I love the idea of grieving not and remembering them with joy.
Beth - your blog is so beautiful. I love this precious poem - and also have to thank you for your last post - (that picture is amazing). Thank you for reminding me that my lenten journey is oh so much more than planning boring vegan meals. Love to you.
"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
I've always loved these lines. :-)
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