Monday 10 September 2007

I Dream Of Jeannie: A Lover's Call

Something happened last night. I dreamt of Jeannie for the first time since she passed away 2 months ago. It was a good dream, an intimate dream; it was reliving certain loving moments we shared numerous times before.

Then this morning the number 27 (Jeannie's favorite number) appeared in my life again. I was reading Nuraina A. Samad's blog and came across this Kahlil Gibran (our favorite poet and philosopher) poem, "A Lover's Call" that I felt describes Jeannie and I so well. Upon further net-search, I discovered that the poem was Chapter 27 of Kahlil Gibran's book of poems, "A Tear And A Smile"!!

A message My Angel sent me? Please read.


A Lover's Call

Where are you, my beloved? Are you in that little paradise, watering the flowers who look upon you as infants look upon the breast of their mothers?

Or are you in your chamber where the shrine of virtue has been placed in your honour, and upon which you offer my heart and soul as sacrifice?

Or amongst the books, seeking human knowledge, while you are replete with heavenly wisdom?

Oh companion of my soul, where are you? Are you praying in the temple? Or calling Nature in the field, haven of your dreams?

Are you in the huts of the poor, consoling the broken-hearted with the sweetness of your soul, and filling their hands with your bounty?

You are God's spirit everywhere; you are stronger than the ages.

Do you have memory of the day we met, when the halo of your spirit surrounded us, and the Angels of Love floated about, singing the praise of the soul's deed?

Do you recollect our sitting in the shade of the branches, sheltering ourselves from humanity, as the ribs protect the divine secret of the heart from injury?

Remember you the trails and forest we walked, with hands joined, and our heads leaning against each other, as if we were hiding ourselves within ourselves?

Recall you the hour I bade you farewell, and the maritime kiss you placed on my lips? That kiss taught me that joining of lips in love reveals heavenly secrets which the tongue cannot utter!

That kiss was introduction to a great sigh, like the Almighty's breath that turned earth into man.

That sigh led my way into the spiritual world announcing the glory of my soul; and there it shall perpetuate until again we meet.

I remember when you kissed me and kissed me, with tears coursing your cheeks, and you said, "earthly bodies must often separate for earthly purpose, and must live apart impelled by worldly intent. "

But the spirit remains joined safely in the hands of love, until death arrives and takes joined souls to God.

"Go, my beloved; love has chosen you her delegate; over her, for she is beauty who offers to her follower the cup of the sweetness of life. as for my own empty arms, your love shall remain my comforting groom; your memory, my eternal wedding."

Where are you now, my other self? Are you awake in the silence of the night? Let the clean breeze convey to you my heart's every beat and affection.

Are you fondling my face in your memory? That image is no longer my own, for sorrow has dropped his shadow on my happy countenance of the past.

Sobs have withered my eyes which reflected your beauty and dried my lips which you sweetened with kisses.

Where are you, my beloved? Do you hear my weeping from beyond the ocean? Do you understand my need? Do you know the greatness of my patience?

Is there any spirit in the air capable of conveying to you the breath of this dying youth? Is there any secret communication between angels that will carry to you my complaint?

Where are you, my beautiful star? The obscurity of life has cast me upon its bosom; sorrow has conquered me.

Sail your smile into the air; it will reach and enliven me! breathe your fragrance into the air; it will sustain me!

Where are you, me beloved?

Oh, how great is Love!

And how little am I!

...........Kahlil Gibran (Chapter 27, A Tear And A Smile)

8 comments:

NURAINA A SAMAD said...

cheah,

this is so sad...

I posted the poem because i just felt so melancholic today..
and i have always liked the poem.

i am so sorry to know about Jeannie...my condolences..

KS Cheah said...

Hi Nuraina,

It is a lovely poem indeed.

Thanks about Jeannie, she was a wonderful person and lives on in my heart till my own time comes.

Cheah

Anonymous said...

Dear Cheah,

I hopped over from Nuraina's blog out of curiosity...

only to be overwhelmed by the poignancy this lovely poem has evoked for you.

I add my heartfelt condolences.

She obviously was as lovely as the poem, your Jeannie.

Hi&Lo said...

Cheah,

I hopped over from Nuraina. I ditto Mekyam.

God bless you.

KS Cheah said...

Thank you Mekyam and Hi&Lo,

I only hope more couples have what we had but mortality is the price we have to pay. Regardless of how we can celebrate having shared the bliss, the loss is hard to reconcile.

I tell the children to honor the memory of their Mummy by living the good life and be good people.

Once again, thank you for your kind thoughts.

Cheah

Hi&Lo said...

Cheah,

I wished I could find the words to ease your pain.

You have loved and be loved. The love you once had now lives in your heart till you meet Jeannie again.

KS Cheah said...

Dear Hi&Lo,

It is not so much a pain but a certain "hollowness" that resides not only in the psyche but also crops up in conscious thought when looking at future holiday trips, celebrations, quiet times, ordinary days, etc......I now know the meaning of "loneliness".

Writing does make it better for me so I write.

Take care.

Cheah

Anonymous said...

Great KODAK moment
cheers
imi