Monday, August 22, 2005

Human Frailties

 Seven times have I despised my soul:
The first time when I saw her being meek that she might attain height.
The second time when I saw her limping before the crippled.
The third time when she was given to choose between the hard and the easy, and she chose the easy.
The fourth time when she committed a wrong, and comforted herself that others also commit wrong.
The fifth time when she forbore for weakness, and attributed her patience to strength.
The sixth time when she despised the ugliness of a face, and knew not that it was one of her own masks.
And the seventh time when she sang a song of praise, and deemed it a virtue.
Kahlil Gibran, Sand and Foam (1926)

                         

                                             Acrobat, Mark Chagall 

 

Human Foible

by Dee 

 

Perfection is not for mere mortal

Stop being hard on yourself

Everyone make mistakes

And suffer grave consequences

 

You are your worst enemy

For you know too much

About your past transgression

And inability to seek absolution

 

Redeem yourself

By loving her unconditionally

Embrace her frailties

And seek divine mercy

 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love that tope one best of al.

Anonymous said...

I love Kahlil Gibran, I have his book The Prophet

Anonymous said...

i really do enjoy coming to your journal...definitely thought provoking.  The Seven Times I have Despised My Soul...is great! -=)

Anonymous said...

Chagall, Gibran and Dee's wonderful piece, what an entry!!! You are delightful to your depths. judi

Anonymous said...

wow Dee...This is so beautufully woven together...Your writing is one many many should keep with them and read for validation! Nice.....
Jodi

Anonymous said...

Whoa.....thanks for sharing. Made me think.

Anonymous said...

Your journal is so refreshing.....Thanks for visiting mine....

Anonymous said...

This certainly made me think - thankyou..Ally

Anonymous said...

I love the poem, but the last line bothers me. Unless "divine" is not used literally. Hey, I can't help it. I'm a secular humanist.

It's so cool that you're a Saw Docs insider.

Anonymous said...

Hi, nice to meet you.  I found you through the journals editor's hurricane list.  I hope you are safe and well.  I love Gibran...one of the first "deep" books I read when I was 11...my mom received it as a gift.  I love Chagall too.  I will definitely be back.  I have to tell you that you have inspired me to amp up my knowledge quest on this whole journals thing...mine is very one dimensional right now.  TYTY. ;)  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

Anonymous said...

great poem!