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Of Joy And Sorrow

This Page Includes: Full Verses of the Poem in Text. A Recording of the Poem (Audio). A Free PDF Download for reading purposes. Free Editable Google Doc Download if you wish to make changes or to personalise the poem. The page also includes what the poem is about, structure of poem and explaining the best parts.

Of Joy And Sorrow Poem Verses

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.

Audio Recording

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Personalised Poem

Would you like to customise this poem? You have the option to personalise it by accessing the provided link, which will direct you to Google Docs. From there, you can download the poem ‘Memories’ to your personal Google Docs account or Microsoft Word where you will be able to edit the poem however you want.

Personalised Poem

About the poem

This poem explores the interconnectedness of joy and sorrow in our lives. Gibran suggests that our experiences of joy and sorrow are not separate but rather intertwined, and that our deepest sorrows can bring us the greatest joy. The poem encourages the reader to look deeply into their heart and find the balance between joy and sorrow, to understand that they are both necessary for a full and meaningful life.

This poem could be used in a funeral to reflect on the complexities of life and the idea that joy and sorrow are inseparable. It could be personalized by reflecting on the specific joys and sorrows of the person who has passed away, and how those experiences shaped their life. The poem could be used to celebrate their life in its entirety, recognizing that their sorrows and joys were part of what made them who they were.

The Structure of Poem

This poem by Kahlil Gibran is written in free verse, with no formal rhyme or meter. The poem consists of several short paragraphs, each containing a few lines. The structure of the poem is somewhat philosophical, with the poet exploring the relationship between joy and sorrow. The poem is written in the second person, addressing the reader directly, and invites the reader to reflect on the nature of joy and sorrow in their own life. The poem uses imagery and metaphors, such as the cup that holds wine and the lute that soothes the spirit, to illustrate its points. Overall, the poem has a contemplative and introspective tone.

Best Quote from Of Joy And Sorrow Poem

This is a quote from the poem Of Joy And Sorrow by Khalil Gibran

"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."

This quote speaks to the interconnectedness of joy and sorrow in our lives. It suggests that our ability to experience deep joy is directly linked to our capacity to feel and process sorrow. It encourages us to embrace both the highs and lows of life, and to see them as necessary and complementary parts of our human experience.