
Two passions become one when I listen to his words while looking through my lens at scenes found in natural settings. Natural details that he captured with an artist’s eye and retold with a pen over one hundred years ago. Separated by time and distance, I am connected to him through his simple and direct words. Words that calm my mind and remind my heart that it is the wiser of the two organs. This he clearly knew, as artists often do.
In this moment, I wish to stay. I can listen to his words again and again, just as I can return to the same flower again and again. Each time finding something new, both in myself and on the stem. On this day, standing on wet grass far from familiar land, with droplets gently falling, my eyes delight in the delicate flowers washed by purifying rains, as his “life of a flower” line gently washes away the illusion of separation between me and the flowers, between my heart and brain, between me and him… between every living thing.
His words I do hear, but not his voice. I imagine what the poet may have sounded like when he penned these words in 1908 while studying art in Paris. Words that not only inspire, but instruct, for I cannot listen to his poem without crying and smiling.






Writer, poet, and painter, Kahlil Gibran, who is considered “a key figure in a Romantic movement that transformed Arabic literature in the first half of the twentieth century” wrote “A Tear and a Smile” in 1908 in Paris on his 25th birthday. His prose poem is part of a larger collection of work, first published in 1914, that shares the name of the featured poem. Gibran studied art in Paris at the Académie Julian from 1908 to 1910 and it is there that he discovered the work of William Blake and Friedrich Nietzsche.
His most popular book, The Prophet, did not receive praise from the critics of his time, who favored the writing styles of James Joyce, T. S. Eliot, and Ernest Hemingway. To date, The Prophet has sold over nine million copies since its 1923 publication.
Gibran was born in Lebanon in 1883 and immigrated to New York in 1895 with his mom and siblings. They settled in “the teeming immigrant slums” of Boston’s South End, where he attended school and his mother worked as a seamstress. It is there he was given the American spelling of his birth name, Jubran Khalil Jubran, and where he learned to speak and write in English. He continued his education in Lebanon, returning to the U.S. in 1902 after his sister died of TB. His sensitivity to natural beauty is attributed to the “magnificent setting of impoverished Bisharri above the Qadisha Valley on the slopes of Mount Lebanon.”
“His power came from some great reservoir of spiritual life else it could not have been so universal and so potent, but the majesty and beauty of the language with which he clothed it were all his own.”
~ Claude Bragdon
Thank you for reading and listening. Be well. 💗 Michele
References: Poetry Foundation, Kahlil Gibran, digital archive, and Kahlil Gibran, Wikipedia.
Nature photos: my images
© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton.
“A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou beside me in the wilderness, oh wilderness…
I memorized a good bit of this poem while in high school—oh, so many years ago, and remember this to this day. He was influential, as so many poets and writers were to my life. I’m so blessed to have spent my adult life immersed in great literature, and sharing it with young people.
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful. I am working on memorizing this beautiful poem. 🥰 Thank you for visiting and sharing a bit about your writing and reading life. 💐
LikeLike
So beautifully written and nice to read 🌷🙏♥️🌷
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Thattamma. Lovely words that I am grateful to receive. 🌻
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so welcome and grace wishes to you 🌷🙏♥️😊🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that. 🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌷🙏🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos variety of flowers 👍🏻😊🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I enjoyed spending time with them in the drizzly rain. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, so lovely your garden flowers 👌🌷and so welcome to you 👏😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this poem Michele and how it reminds us to embrace the pain and joy. Khalil Gibran has such a beautiful perspective on life. The Prophet touched me deeply, but I hadn’t seen this poem before. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Brad, for sharing your perspective on the poet and this poem. 🙏🏼 Happy to share. 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing post! I LOVE this. Very moving. The poem is stunning, and your narrative is so fitting. Thank you Michele.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was an absolute pleasure and honor to write and share this, and a delight to take photos of flowers in drizzly rain. 🥰 Thank you, Nico, for being so receptive and supportive. 🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this truly inspirational poem, Michele. I can appreciate your passion for the poetic prose penned by Kahlil Gibran, and I’ve also enjoyed your lovely wildflower photography in the rain. Your eyes both capture the beauty of nature, and exude an uncommon beauty, as well. 👀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was my pleasure to share Gibran’s moving poem. Thank you, Phil, for appreciating my poetic and photographic shares. A delight to listen to and capture with my lens. You are very kind, I share my late father’s love of photography and his eyes. I miss him and his eyes. 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome, my friend 💚🙏 and thank you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats Michele 💖 beautiful text, photos, poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, that is so thoughtful. Thank you, VG. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet! It’s phenomenal! 💜❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! Thank you, Shreya, for sharing your support of an amazing poet and human. 💗
LikeLike
My pleasure. 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michele dawlink, your opening storyline is a great intro into Kahlil Gibran’s beautiful and soul-stirring poem. 🤗 I agree with you, that poem is truly an emotional one. Your story, however, sounds like the opening scene to a movie where the narrator is the central character of the film. You rock ladybug! 🤩 🥳 😎 I adore this and thanks so much for sharing literature so magnificent and powerful!!! 👏🏼 🙌🏼 👐🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why, thank you, Kym. 😊 I love the idea of my words being the opening scene to a movie. 🎬 😁 You rock for writing that. 👏🏼 It was my pleasure to share Gibran’s stirring work read by a speaker with a dramatic voice. I am glad you enjoyed my post. I appreciate you and your heartfelt words.💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michele, you know it is my absolute pleasure. Keep soaring girlfriend. 🛫🦚🦅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore this post and tribute to one of my absolute favorite poets of all time. Khalil’s work is life altering, and timeless. I’m so inspired right now, I’ll be pulling one of my Gibran books down and reading some of the magic you’ve written of in this lovely post before bed. Your writing is inspirational. I love to read you, Michele. ❤️🥰
LikeLike
So wonderful to read. Thank you, Jeff. 🙏🏼 I can feel your genuine passion for Gibran’s work and love that you are inspired to read more. I am sure that inspiration will show up soon in your own writing. 💖✍🏼 ✨ Thank you for reading. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome, Michele. Always. Ha! It probably will show up, that’s so true. Have a lovely evening my friend. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jeff. You too! 😴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos, Michele. That was a wonderful voice reciting the poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Timothy. I appreciate that and I agree about the reader’s voice.😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a fitting tribute to a beautiful poem Michele ❤️ I really enjoyed reading and listening, thank you 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Ms. Poetess. This is a special poem, written by a beautiful soul many years ago, but still relevant. Maybe more so. I am pleased knowing you enjoyed this post. I hope all is well in your world. 💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree – the message is so relevant today ❤️ I’m feeling a lot better now, thank you 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad to read you are feeling better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I am grateful for your time and your willingness to share the work of others. 🙏🏼 💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure to read and share your posts, My Dear! Glad my followers get to read your posts!!! 😊💕🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greatly appreciated. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is so beautiful! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and thanks for the visit. Gibran’s words are a gift for us. 💖
LikeLike
Beautiful post! Great sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! My pleasure. Have a lovely day! 🌞
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this with us Michele. It was indeed a divine poem by Khalil. Your photos always make me smile and brighten my day. Thank you for capturing the beauty of our world. Stay blessed dear Michele💖🙏🌹
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for reading, listening, and appreciating Gibran’s moving words and for commenting on my photos. A passion of mine, as you know. Your words affirm my desire to capture and share. 💖 Best to you, always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even your short writing is stunningly poetic, Michele!! You are a true art critic and I just want to read his poems after reading your introduction 💗 Loved the pics!🌸🏝
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Miss Annabel. 💐 Your words make my heart sing and contribute to me feeling on purpose. What a wonderful feeling. Sending you hugs and love. 💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, dear Michele!💕 send many thanks, hugs, and kisses 😘 🥳🥂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗😘💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully written! He was popular big time in the 1960s when I was in college!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dwight! I can see why he gained popularity. Unfortunately he was not included in HS curriculum or textbooks, in my experience. Have a wonderful day!
LikeLike
It’s incredible how much a few words can do. I think it was so creative an idea to write from the perspective you did and it was a beautiful read!❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. 🥰 Thank you, Deepthy. I am so glad you read this one and I am grateful for your beautiful feedback. 😊 Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure to read writes that leave me thinking! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes me very happy. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful poet. By a beautiful blogger. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. I love his writing. Thank you so much. 🙏🏼🌹
LikeLike
I guess we all love flowers 🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe so. Thank you. 💐
LikeLike
Such a wise man. I reread his books often. I had quite a crush on him in high school, even though he had already passed on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and I completely understand that crush. Amazing and beautiful human. 💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I quote his verses to myself often. “Let there be spaces in your togetherness.” You are the bow and your child is the arrow… His spiritual light is evident in the photos I’ve seen of him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are beautiful lines to remember and recite. Thank you so much for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person