i am a kind word uttered and repeated 

by the voice of nature; 

i am a star fallen from the 

blue tent upon the green carpet. 

i am the daughter of the elements 

with whom winter conceived; 

to whom spring gave birth; i was 

reared in the lap of summer and i 

slept in the bed of autumn. 

at dawn i unite with the breeze 

to announce the coming of light; 

at eventide i join the birds 

in bidding the light farewell. 

the plains are decorated with 

my beautiful colors, and the air 

is scented with my fragrance. 

as i embrace slumber the eyes of 

night watch over me, and as i 

awaken i stare at the sun, which is 

the only eye of the day. 

i drink dew for wine, and hearken to 

the voices of the birds, and dance 

to the rhythmic swaying of the grass. 

i am the lover's gift; i am the wedding wreath; 

i am the memory of a moment of happiness; 

i am the last gift of the living to the dead; 

i am a part of joy and a part of sorrow. 

but i look up high to see only the light, 

and never look down to see my shadow. 

this is wisdom which man must learn.

~khalil gibran, song of the flower xxiii~