The Classic Prose Poems of Kahlil Gibran

Author: [Lebanon] Kahlil Gibran
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Reading him, the world of desire becomes calm, calm; human, see yourself as tiny as sand. A gift for all tired souls, first introduced directly from the Arabic "Complete Works of Gibran." "If a man or woman reads this book and cannot quietly accept the philosophy of a great man, then that man or woman, in terms of life and truth, is indeed dead." — Chicago Tribune He is the gravedigger of ignorance and blind obedience, shining light from darkness. Things that fall upon different thoughts at different times gather in his writings, making him a genius of his time and the following eras. This book touches on love, nature, greatness, death, friendship, time, as well as homeland, nation, language, etc. "I am a man with a mission, a man who delivers his influence to the minds of people." When can we find in the world again someone who loves and is as kind and glorious as him? Memory is a way of meeting. Forgetfulness is a form of freedom. All our words are but crumbs scattered from the banquet of thought. We are always strangers to each other until one day you listen to me, and I take your voice as my own; when I stand before you, I think I stand before a mirror. The East gave birth to Gibran (1883–1931), a true pride of the East. Gibran is a world-renowned cultural figure, his exquisite prose poems celebrated globally. A single phrase, "Let us enjoy the beautiful prose together, and each find their own charm," is enough; no preface is needed. I merely wish to briefly introduce his life and works. Gibran was an outstanding representative of the "Americanized" writers, hailed as the "Number One Leader of Americanized Writers," the "Standard-Bearer and Soul of Americanized Literature." He broke new ground in poetry, prose, and fiction, ushering in a new era in literary circles. His prose poetry, in particular, reached a level of perfection, unmatched not only by other "Americanized" writers of his time but also by few contemporary Arab writers. He achieved remarkable success in writing in his native Arabic, as well as in English, where he wrote several timeless masterpieces that shook the United States and spread across the West and East. Though he never won any awards, his undeniable place in world literature is undeniable. His English prose poem masterpiece, The Prophet, is called the "Little Bible." Statistics show it has been translated into fifty-six languages and has sold over seven million copies. Recently, I learned that in a single bookstore in Singapore, there are twelve simultaneous Chinese translations of The Prophet. In China, Gibran's works are the second best-selling Arabic literature after One Thousand and One Nights, with a large readership among middle and high school students and intellectuals. Gibran's works possess a unique charm. His writing is gentle, concise, and elegant, like flowing clouds and water; his words are fresh, unusual, and lively, dazzling in their color; his philosophy is profound, his metaphors original and vivid, his imagination boundless; coupled with the mystical tone of his prophetic statements, the powerful musical rhythm, and the dynamic,, they form a recognized style that is passionate, refined, and brilliant, known as the "Gibran Style." Though Gibran did not win any literary awards during his lifetime, the high praise bestowed upon him and his works after his death is something many great figures could only dream of. In 1983, UNESCO listed him as one of seven "Worldly Figures," alongside Wagner, Stendhal, Marx, Euler, Kafka, and Martin Luther. Gibran was born on January 6, 1883, in a small village called Bsharri in northern Lebanon. His father, Khalil (1844–1909), was once a local official responsible for collecting livestock taxes. His mother, Kamile (1864–1903), was known for her vitality and competence in the village. Before marrying Gibran's father, she had married her cousin, Hanu al-Abd al-Salam, who died in Brazil. Kamile had gone to Brazil with him and gave birth to a son, Butros. On her second marriage, she wed a relative, Youssef Elias Giaqui, but the marriage proved unhappy and lasted less than a month before her husband passed away. Afterward, she married Khalil Gibran and gave birth to Gibran, Mariana, and Sultana. Her influence on Gibran was profound. At the age of five, Gibran was sent to the Mar Yeshu Monastery near Bsharri for basic literacy training. His love for literature and art flourished under the guidance of Dr. Selim Dushir. Gibran never forgot his kindness. Dr. Dushir passed away in 1912, and Gibran mourned him with moving words in an article published in The Mirror of the West. He wrote, "The cedar youth has passed away. Come, children of the cedar, let us carry him in a bier woven from laurel leaves and roses, and wander through the valleys and hills!" Gibran spent joyful times in the beautiful embrace of his homeland's nature, with its sacred and captivating landscapes. The beauty of the cedars and the Kadisha Valley never left his heart and imagination, inspiring him endlessly, infusing his writings and paintings with indescribable beauty. At the age of twelve, Gibran's family faced a major tragedy when his father was accused of embezzlement and imprisoned, and their property was seized. Kamile tried to save the situation but failed. In 1894, she took her four children out of Bsharri and moved to Paris, where she recovered some of their property through a relative, before relocating the family to the United States from the French capital. They arrived in Boston in 1895 and settled in the Chinatown area. In Boston, Kamile and Butros ran a business, while Mariana and Sultana worked as maids for neighbors. Gibran attended a public school and continued his studies. An English teacher noticed his talent, and Gibran also caught the attention of the artist Farid Henderson Day, who took him under his wing and guided him toward a career in art. In 1898, Gibran's last year at the public school, he met the American poet Josephine Pemberton (Josephine Bromston). Gibran painted her portrait, and the poet wrote to Day, "This portrait has been a blessing to me." To fulfill his mother's wishes and realize his childhood dream, Gibran returned to Lebanon in 1898 and enrolled at the renowned "Hikma" (Wisdom) School, where he studied for three years under the guidance of master teachers, mastering Arabic and French. Among his teachers was Hurez Youssef Hadad. During his time in Lebanon, Gibran visited his father in Bsharri several times and fell in love with a wealthy young woman. Their love story ended tragically in his novella The Broken Wings. Later, when asked whether the romance in the novella was based on his own experience, he said, "The characters and events in The Broken Wings are entirely fictional." In Beirut, Gibran also met the artist Habib Sourial (1860–1927) and Ayyub Tabib (1882–1947), who later served as President of Lebanon, as well as his sister Sultana Tabib; some say this young woman or widow was Gibran's first love. Gibran returned to Boston in April 1902 after receiving news of his younger sister Sultana's death. This period was marked by a series of tragedies for Gibran: the death of his half-brother Butros (March 1903, or March 12, 1902) and his mother (June 1903, or June 26, 1902). These events marked turning points in his life. In 1904, under the care of Mr. Day, Gibran held his first exhibition and met Mary Haskell (1873–1964), the lifelong friend who guided him toward literary and artistic success. Haskell introduced Gibran to a French teacher, Miss Maysoun, whom Gibran liked and painted a portrait of. He also met Amin Rihbany, whose newspaper The Syrian opened doors for Gibran in the Arab world, making him the first Arab poet to gain widespread recognition. The Dreamers marked his debut. In 1905, Gibran published his first work, Notes on Music. In 1906, Amin Rihbany published The Bride of the Desert. In 1908, Gibran published his third work, The Rebel. Mary Haskell was the principal of a girls' school. She recognized his talent and was an indispensable "female mentor" on his path to success. With her encouragement and support, Gibran traveled to the artistic capital of Paris in late June 1908, where he studied under the world-renowned sculptor Rodin. There, his horizons broadened as he encountered various artistic schools, both classical and modern, and studied them at the Gobelins Academy. He also visited many famous painters, museums, historical sites, and galleries in Paris and London, accompanied by his friends Youssef Hovik and Amin Rihbany. In 1909, Gibran learned of his father's death. On October 22, 1910, Gibran left Paris, having mastered the secrets of art and been deeply nourished by it, to return to Boston. In early November 1910, Gibran joined the founding of the "Golden Ring Society" in Boston, established in 1911, with the aim of informing Lebanese and Syrian immigrants about events in Boston and supporting their cultural activities. In May 1912, Gibran visited the Bahá?í leader Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, invited by the Golden Ring Society, and painted his portrait. Despite having Mariana and Mary Haskell in Boston, Gibran found his life there unsatisfying, feeling that his imagination and aspirations were limited, and decided to move to New York. Settling in New York marked the longest and most productive period of Gibran's life, as his star rose in the literary sky. Gibran was a writer who used both Arabic and English. Mary Haskell guided him in writing in English. Below are some of his important works published during his lifetime: The Broken Wings (1912, Arabic), Tears and Laughter (1914, Arabic), The Madman (1918, English), Song of Earth (1919, Arabic), The Storm (1920, Arabic), The Prophet (1920, English)—this is Gibran's most important work. Sand and Foam (1926, English), The Son of Man Jesus (1928, English), The Earth God (1931, English)—this work was published just days before Gibran's death. In April 1920, Gibran founded the "Pen Club" in New York with other Arab poets and writers who lived there. The club aimed to revitalize, renew, and develop Arabic literature, making it actively engage with life. Members included Mikhail Naimy, Ilia Abou-Madi, and Naseeb Arida. Gibran was a great patriot. During World War I, he actively participated in political liberation movements and joined the committee for helping refugees. Gibran was an emotionally rich person, and his correspondence with the Lebanese writer May Ziadé (1886–1941), who lived in Egypt, lasted for fifteen years (1914–1929). On January 1929, many Arabs and foreigners attended a celebration marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of his first article. In 1926, Gibran's health began to decline due to his heavy workload, but he paid little attention to his illness. Determined to fulfill his mission at any cost, he continued to immerse himself in painting and writing until April 10, 1931, when the life torch within him extinguished. However, the torch, soaked in the oil of his life and soul, continues to shine brightly for generations to come. On August 21, 1931, Gibran returned to the Lebanon he deeply loved and was laid to rest in the Mar Maroun Monastery in his hometown, where he could enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature, sharing in the immortality of the cedars and the sanctity of the Geba Valley. After Gibran's death, his English works The Wanderer and The Garden of the Prophet were published in 1932 and 1933, respectively. In November 2000, I purchased a new edition of the Complete Works of Gibran at the Kuwait International Book Fair, a five-volume set, including Unpublished Works, Correspondence, and Poetry, which were all new to me. The Arabs say, "Many of Gibran's unfinished works and manuscripts remain to be collected and published. Because he was immersed in painting and writing throughout his life and had no other hobbies, his known works are far too few compared to his entire oeuvre." May the work of "collecting and publishing" continue, so that one day a truly comprehensive Chinese edition of the Complete Works of Gibran can be translated. Gibran was hailed as the "Number One Leader of Americanized Writers" and the "Standard-Bearer and Soul of Americanized Literature." In poetry, prose, and fiction, he broke new ground, ushering in a new era in literary circles and reaching a level of perfection unmatched by few contemporary Arab writers. His timeless masterpieces shook the United States and spread across the West and East. In China, his works are the second best-selling Arabic literature after One Thousand and One Nights, with a large readership among middle and high school students and intellectuals. This book is the first introduction to Gibran's works directly translated from the Arabic Complete Works of Gibran.