When Gigi asked Marc for a romantic book, he named one of Gigi’s favorites. Technically it is a book of poetry, and one that brings memories that are both happy and sad at the same time… from a time long ago that she doesn’t let herself think about too much… one of the lost loves of her life. Thankfully Gigi is happy these days, so those memories are not quite as sad as they used to be.
Marc told Gigi that as far as romantic meals go “I can’t remember any meals”, but that where romantic books are concerned “the same girl and I once bought each other the same book for Christmas — Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet”. Kind of an odd choice.” You will see this girl mentioned again in his favorite romantic vacation spot.
I’m not sure why he thinks that The Prophet” is an odd choice. It has beautiful poetry in it, and if you have never read Kahlil Gibran, you really must. Gigi has his book downstairs and when she finishes writing her blogs, she is going to curl up with it bed, and read some to her sweet sleeping Jean-Claude. They are still sleeping together via skype, and due to the 5 hour time difference between Michigan and Ireland, he falls asleep first.
- “The Prophet” by Khalil Gibran
- “The Razor’s Edge” by Somerset Maugham
When Gigi told Marc that The Prophet was more of a book of poetry than a book book, he came up with a new one. “Okay, a romantic book — a young lady gave me her copy of Somerset Maugham’s “The Razor’s Edge” after our first kiss. When we met again, after a semester at two different colleges, I gave her the book back.”
Kahlil Gibran on Love
Even so, Gigi posted one of Khalil Gibran’s poems for you to read, and you might recognize some lines from it. It is used a lot at weddings…
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.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 seasonless 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.
