A Tear And A Smile Poem by Kahlil Gibran

A Tear And A Smile

Rating: 3.3


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, embracingher 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 area 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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Salma Laskar 10 May 2013

I understand A Tear And A Smile as- Joy and Sorrow to be treasured as they are special and exclusive to us. My sorrow no match to some one else's as it is mine. My joy no match to someone else's as it is mine I love my sorrow as I cherish my joy as both are mine. As life is mine and death is mine

34 2 Reply
Kezang Dawa 17 October 2012

Khalil Gibran...you are one of a inspiring poet in this world who describe about love and life sad and sorrow bring together in your poem...

25 5 Reply
Michael Genovana 12 May 2011

Kahlil Gibran I shall not praise you nor despise you. For thoughts should be swifter than the tongue I have jfk rain run the valley of my being, that it may run deeper, That it may rush happily to the sea And the trench of my ears shall be a deep well I have listened to the echo of the waters When the sky has been watching and rejoicing, In the hidden lands of my heart

25 5 Reply
Lehlohonolo Shuping 07 April 2012

Khalil is perfection personified. Words are said to give and take life but he puts a breath of eternity into the word's nostrils. For generations to come, his words will give life to humanity's offsprings.

26 4 Reply
Kezang Dawa 17 October 2012

You are the inspiring poet in the world who describe the love and life sad and sorrow......beautiful poem....

19 6 Reply
Chinedu Dike 04 February 2022

A work of an intricate mind, very powerfully and movingly penned....

1 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 07 November 2019

Well expressed thoughts and feelings nicely brought forth with clarity artistic brilliance.

4 0 Reply
Adeeb Alfateh 16 July 2019

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. superb and extra ordinary writing great 10+++++++++++

3 0 Reply
Mirela Athanas 18 April 2019

I think this is one of the most beautiful poems ever written, always admired Khalil Gibran.

5 1 Reply
Latha 28 August 2018

I would not exchange my sorrows of my heart With the joy of the multitude- -super. Me too

8 3 Reply
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