A Tear and A Smile - Khalil Gibran (Powerful Life Poetry)

Read by Shane Morris
Written by Khalil Gibran

- A Tear and A Smile -

I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart
For the joys of the multitude.
And I would not have the tears that sadness makes
To flow from my every part turn into laughter.

I would that my life remain a tear and a smile.
A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding
Of life's secrets and hidden things.
A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and
To be a symbol of my glorification of the gods.

A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;
A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.
I would rather that I died in yearning and longing
than that I live Weary and despairing.

I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the
Depths of my spirit, for I have seen those who are
Satisfied the most wretched of people.
I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and Longing,
and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody.

With evening's coming the flower folds her petals
And sleeps, embracing her longing.
At morning's approach she opens her lips to meet
The sun's kiss.
The life of a flower is longing and fulfilment.
A tear and a smile.

The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come
Together and are a cloud.
And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys
Until it meets the gentle breeze, then falls weeping
To the fields and joins with brooks and rivers
to Return to the sea, its home.
The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting.
A tear and a smile.

And so does the spirit become separated from
The greater spirit to move in the world of matter
And pass as a cloud over the mountain of sorrow
And the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death
And return whence it came.

To the ocean of Love and Beauty----to God.

[RedFrostMotivation]

Here's a wonderful poem from the great Khalil Gibran. Hope you enjoy!

And cheers to 1 million subs! Never in our wildest dreams did we think the channel could reach that milestone. We can't thank you enough for all the support you've shown over the years.
Eternally grateful and forever humbled,
Thom & James

[patrykgrabowski]

I thought that my loneliness is a curse but now I am sure that it is a blessing cause I can feel deeper and notice much more than others

[bonk]

“To belittle you must be little” ~Gibran

[abidaltaf]

For people who are in misery, loneliness, depression...this is a gem for them!❤️

[bonk]

I know Gibran is famous but I feel like he deserves so much more fame, I would still call him wildly underrated.

[johngalvin]

'A tear, a kiss, a smile...These things make life worthwhile' - Old Irish song

[luciagildersleeve]

I am 66 years old and discovered the beautiful words and spirit of Kahlil Gibran when I was 15. I still love his words, his poetry, his spirit, and his depth.

[hashimzoubi]

I would rather that I died in yearning and longing, rather that I live weary and despairing

[stilesbatman]

"I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live Weary and despairing."

Amazing

[Fromtheforgottengardens]

2:02 "With evening's coming the flower folds her petals and sleeps, embracing her longing." Such a beautiful way to describe something simple.

[adamsteinhardt]

I’m not much of a poem person, but this poem speaks to my soul. I think it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of writing that I have experienced.

[JusticeReigns]

Gibran still speaks so powerfully today. Anyone throughout the future will be able to read and be rejuvenated by this man's words.

[mamapadure]

Only the Genius in you, my friend, can recognise the Genius in others.

[AM-brix]

A Substitute teacher in my High School: Henninger Senior High School in Syracuse NY she gave me a book by Kahil Gabrin in 1985. I still have it!!

[ThisTall]

You guys set the mood with the background tune so well that it’s hard to imagine it’s not exactly how the poet felt

[drakeblessum]

This poem hit me hard this morning ❤. Gotta remember that life is a blessing each day. And to go out and make it better for myself and others

[aproudchildofGod]

Listing to this masterpieces on my way home 🏡. That's the sweetest moment of a lonely day .

[khomeiniblue]

I can't believe after all this years with loneliness the world still feel hollow

[mkgods]

Listen: you can lose anything and everything but don't lose heart because that's the part that no man can see and it is.

What a treasure it is!!!🔥💖

[Suranjan_Malik]

I can't explain how grateful I am !
Amidst the horrors, deaths and mental trauma that we are facing in these times of pandemic, this poem gave me a deep pleasure and a serene experience.
I have also read Kahlil Gibran's Masterpiece " The Prophet".

I just want to say THANK YOU ❤️