Of Poets and Portals and Soul Connections
I thought I'd be writing about new appliances or communal toilets, but it happened again--- another soul connection !!! I had left a comment on Beth's blog- the friend of Chris who described him as "raw soul"-- she sent me an e-mail asking me if I would like to have this watercolour painting she had made--hadn't meant it to be about Chris , but that's how it turned out--IF I wanted it????Of course-- it's way beyond anything I could have desired-- I'm happy with scraps and remnants of Chris-- this is a feast!!! I am overwhelmed with gratitude and awe-- I think this blog business has opened up another portal in which the worlds of God are able to interact-- a whole new sphere of existence-- the "blogosphere"-- She named it 25, 26-- He was 25 years old when he died on April 26. I'd be interested to hear Beth's interpretation of the art--- Frank reminded me of the poem by Kahil Gibran, whom I discovered during my college years, the poem I used as inspiration to write a special message to Mike on his wedding day-- I've often turned to Kahilil Gibran's writings for reflection and inspiration over the years-- But here is the poem that seems to be related to the painting- in my mind anyway;On Children Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
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 the 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.
posted by NanNan at 2:34 PM
14 Comments:
That is just beautiful. The poem I mean, and the picture. See ya soon.
Hi LJLC---I had his poem on marriage read at my wedding-- and I love what he says about time, and death---- All these poems are in a book called "The Prophet" - thanks for checking them out- they have been a big part of my life--- love
Did you read the one on joy and sorrow?? It's so neat to share something so significant to me-- thanks----
Thanks camper chick-- just goes to show theres always something to look forward to, and to allow yourself to receive---
That is so awesome- I was in school with Beth during High School- if you had any contact info for her, could you email it to me? We are in the process of organizing a ten year HS reunion (**gasp** ALREADY!!)
I just read one of the poems by KG and I loved the imagery I copied an expecially awesome part- (its from the poem about passion and reason)
Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul. If either your sails or your rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.
For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.
Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion, that it may sing;
And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection, and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes.
SO true and neat how he puts it!
Hi G: Nice to hear from you!!! Kahlil is an amazing poet/philosopher--- the astonishing thing is that his poems take on new meanings as you "evolve"-- there are so many levels of understanding-- I had never noticed the one about reason and passion- thanks for pointing it out-I love his imagery-- phoenix rising from ashes-- enjoy the journey with him, as I did, do, and will!!Oh year, I'll send you Beth's email--
I love that poem . First time I ever heard it , its just great.. The picture is also beautiful , that was so nice of her to give it to you.
If beth gives you her interpretation of the painting I would love to know what it means to her , what she sees as the artist
Thanks Mandy, I'm hoping she'll write about it on this blog- she knows i'm here and I asked her permisssion to share this story---As for Gibran, check out his poem on marriage-- makes a nice reading at weddings!! hint, hint, wink, wink-----
The painting is gorgeous! And the red hair... sigh, like always it kills me.
You know Nanan, I've always wanted a baby of my own since i was about 4 or five. But I understood this atavistic instinct only recently... It came out through the deep deep deep felt desire to make a particular film... that eventually never got made. But through the initial process that preparing for the film took me through, I realised how selfish I was being in wanting a child... I know this sounds crptic. But I now appreciate the difference between wanting a child and actually having one and taking care of someone for life with the knowledge that that someone, however much she or he is a part of your life... can never be an extension of you. And more importantly, how unfair it is to expect that someone to be an extension of you.
So hats off to all you mums and dads who can love unconditionally. Someday, I hope to be a slightly sorted mum.
Wow -- you guys post a lot.
So I set out to paint an archer and half way through I looked at the date to sign the work. I kept getting these nagging feelings that the date had some sort of significance. Then everything just clicked.
It was April 26th and I was 25.
It was cause for reflection.
Thanks Beth, for the explanation-- makes you think, wonder who was doing the nagging?? Thank you for checking in!!
Hi Aunt Sue,
I went to school with Beth too, had Drama class with her, we painted a backdrop together with a few other students from the class, it was amazing...
She's a wonderful person..I checked out her blog and got her e-mail address from there, I intend on contacting her...thank you for posting the wonderful poem and the painting she did..Much love,
Tammie
Thanks to Beth I have a wonderful black and white copy of my parents wedding picture. She never once kicked me out of the dark room AND she put up with all my weird questions. She is friends with all the guys grew up with so she MUST be cool :) No seriously, Beth is awesome - always was.
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