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Khalil Gibran - Best 4 Funeral Poems [Includes PDF & Audio]
Welcome to this curated selection of five deeply moving funeral poems by the esteemed philosopher and poet, Khalil Gibran. On this page, you'll traverse the landscape of human emotion, grief, and solace through Gibran's profound words, elegantly encapsulating our shared experiences of loss and remembrance.
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1) On Death
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honor.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honor.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Read more about this poem
2) Of Joy And Sorrow
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter‘s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with
knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which
has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you
are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, ―Joy is greater than sorrow,‖ and others say, ―Nay, sorrow is the
greater.‖ But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that
the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your
joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter‘s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with
knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which
has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you
are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, ―Joy is greater than sorrow,‖ and others say, ―Nay, sorrow is the
greater.‖ But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that
the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your
joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
Read more about this poem
3) On Pain
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
Your pain is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its
heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder
at the daily miracles of your life, your pain
would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your
heart, even as you have always accepted
the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity
through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the
physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drink
his remedy in silence and tranquility:
For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided
by the tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips,
has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter
has moistened with His own sacred tears.
that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its
heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder
at the daily miracles of your life, your pain
would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your
heart, even as you have always accepted
the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity
through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the
physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drink
his remedy in silence and tranquility:
For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided
by the tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips,
has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter
has moistened with His own sacred tears.
Read more about this poem
4) The Prophet
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
For what is it to die?
But to stand naked in the wind
and to melt into the sun.
And what is it to cease breathing?
But to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God, unencumbered.
Only when you drink from the river of silence
shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb.
And the earth shall claim your limbs.
Then shall you truly dance.
But to stand naked in the wind
and to melt into the sun.
And what is it to cease breathing?
But to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God, unencumbered.
Only when you drink from the river of silence
shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb.
And the earth shall claim your limbs.
Then shall you truly dance.
Read more about this poem
History & Information about poet Khalil Gibran
Khalil Gibran was a Lebanese-American poet, writer, and artist born on January 6, 1883, in the town of Bsharri, Lebanon. He was raised in poverty and received only a limited formal education before immigrating to the United States with his family in 1895.
Gibran settled in Boston, where he enrolled in art school and began developing his skills as a writer and artist. His early works were written in Arabic, and he published his first book, "Arabic Poems," in 1910. It was not until the publication of his book "The Prophet" in 1923 that Gibran became a household name and an internationally recognized author.
"The Prophet" is a collection of poetic essays that address themes such as love, freedom, and spiritual growth. It became an instant bestseller and has since been translated into over 40 languages. Gibran's works are known for their lyrical beauty, profound wisdom, and universal appeal.
In addition to his poetry, Gibran was also a prolific artist, and his paintings and drawings were exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and Europe. He is considered one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century.
Gibran died on April 10, 1931, at the age of 48, in New York City. His legacy as a poet, writer, and artist endures, and his works continue to inspire and enlighten readers around the world. He is remembered as a voice of peace and unity, and his words have brought comfort and solace to many in times of grief and loss.
Gibran settled in Boston, where he enrolled in art school and began developing his skills as a writer and artist. His early works were written in Arabic, and he published his first book, "Arabic Poems," in 1910. It was not until the publication of his book "The Prophet" in 1923 that Gibran became a household name and an internationally recognized author.
"The Prophet" is a collection of poetic essays that address themes such as love, freedom, and spiritual growth. It became an instant bestseller and has since been translated into over 40 languages. Gibran's works are known for their lyrical beauty, profound wisdom, and universal appeal.
In addition to his poetry, Gibran was also a prolific artist, and his paintings and drawings were exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and Europe. He is considered one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century.
Gibran died on April 10, 1931, at the age of 48, in New York City. His legacy as a poet, writer, and artist endures, and his works continue to inspire and enlighten readers around the world. He is remembered as a voice of peace and unity, and his words have brought comfort and solace to many in times of grief and loss.
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