*by Kahlil Gibran* >Where are you, my beloved? Are you in that little >Paradise, watering the flowers who look upon you >As infants look upon the breast of their mothers? > >Or are you in your chamber where the shrine of >Virtue has been placed in your honor, and upon >Which you offer my heart and soul as sacrifice? > >Or amongst the books, seeking human knowledge, >While you are replete with heavenly wisdom? > >Oh companion of my soul, where are you? Are you >Praying in the temple? Or calling Nature in the >Field, haven of your dreams? > >Are you in the huts of the poor, consoling the >Broken-hearted with the sweetness of your soul, and >Filling their hands with your bounty? > >You are God's spirit everywhere; >You are stronger than the ages. > >Do you have memory of the day we met, when the halo of >You spirit surrounded us, and the Angels of Love >Floated about, singing the praise of the soul's deed? > >Do you recollect our sitting in the shade of the >Branches, sheltering ourselves from Humanity, as the ribs >Protect the divine secret of the heart from injury? > >Remember you the trails and forest we walked, with hands >Joined, and our heads leaning against each other, as if >We were hiding ourselves within ourselves? > >Recall you the hour I bade you farewell, >And the Maritime kiss you placed on my lips? >That kiss taught me that joining of lips in Love >Reveals heavenly secrets which the tongue cannot utter! > >That kiss was introduction to a great sigh, >Like the Almighty's breath that turned earth into man. > >That sigh led my way into the spiritual world, >Announcing the glory of my soul; and there >It shall perpetuate until again we meet. > >I remember when you kissed me and kissed me, >With tears coursing your cheeks, and you said, >"Earthly bodies must often separate for earthly purpose, >And must live apart impelled by worldly intent. > >"But the spirit remains joined safely in the hands of >Love, until death arrives and takes joined souls to God. > >"Go, my beloved; Love has chosen you her delegate; >Over her, for she is Beauty who offers to her follower >The cup of the sweetness of life. >As for my own empty arms, your love shall remain my >Comforting groom; you memory, my Eternal wedding." > >Where are you now, my other self? Are you awake in >The silence of the night? Let the clean breeze convey >To you my heart's every beat and affection. > >Are you fondling my face in your memory? That image >Is no longer my own, for Sorrow has dropped his >Shadow on my happy countenance of the past. > >Sobs have withered my eyes which reflected your beauty >And dried my lips which you sweetened with kisses. > >Where are you, my beloved? Do you hear my weeping >From beyond the ocean? Do you understand my need? >Do you know the greatness of my patience? > >Is there any spirit in the air capable of conveying >To you the breath of this dying youth? Is there any >Secret communication between angels that will carry to >You my complaint? > >Where are you, my beautiful star? The obscurity of life >Has cast me upon its bosom; sorrow has conquered me. > >Sail your smile into the air; it will reach and enliven me! >Breathe your fragrance into the air; it will sustain me! > >Where are you, me beloved? >Oh, how great is Love! >And how little am I!