For JoCool

[Haji]

I like JoCool's quotations from Kahlil Gibran the renowned Persian philosopher as a footnote to his posts. Particularly his last post which quoted Gibrans observations to the effect that the patients inside the asylum consider that the madmen are on the outside of the asylum walls. Food for thought and another example of the depth of talent and knowledge that we have on this site!


I personally like some of the words from another famous Arab, the poet Omar Khayyam who in the "Rubait of Omar Khayyam" (Fitzgerald translation) wrote what is possibly the most beautifull description of the brevity of life and how we should all try to live it to the fullest. It goes like this:


"Come fill the cup, and in the fire of spring,
Your winter garment of repentance fling.
The bird of life has but a little way to fly
And lo, the bird is on the wing"


I dont know whether this moves anyone as it does me but I have memorised this for the past 20 years and still find it inspirational. I hope that some of the members will find it likewise.


Enjoy!

[mulloway mayhem]

sorry haji...im not moved by any of that stuff...maybe some are but not me...

[Haji]

Thats OK Mulloway, whatever floats your boat is ok with me. But it goes to show you that we have great diversity of members on this site which can only be a good thing.

[JOC00L]

Thanks for the acknowledgement Haji. I read some of the passages of Gibran's works and I am absolutely gob smacked. Even though they were mostly written in the 20's, they still hold true for a lot of things that man does.

He drew a lot of his inspiration from his faith and his belief in mankind. He understands and brings to the fore the fact that we are not all alike and do different things, yet deep down inside we all strive for whatever our interpretation of our own 'nirvana' is!

By the way, he was Lebanese not Persian.:headbang:

[Haji]

I stand corrected on the nationallity of Gibran. Should have known as I have the book "A third Treasury of Kahlil Gibran" given to me by a Lebanese friend which states that he was born in Lebanon and migrated to the US as a child returning to Lebanon at a later time.

I agree that his writing is very inspirational and very pertinent even today. Keep trucking!

[fireman0686]

Have to agree Haji with all your comments mate

Keep up the good work

[Bass flicker]

I love all the arts, but painting and scultpture are my favorites.

Even though this passage is not my 'thing' you have given me a little insight into an area I would never have ventured otherwise.

Thanks Haji.

[storms72]

All sounds pretty cool to me......So long as you enjoy it and get something out of it, good on ya fellas....I'm into reading kinda far-out stuff. No Haji, not stuff bout how to improve my feralness!

[imnotafish]

by Alfred Lord Tennyson
from: In Memoriam A.H.H. written between 1833 and 1850 in honor of Arthur Henry Hallam (1811-1833). Tennyson was Poet Laureate of England from 1850 until 1892.
Like Bart says "it's like friday the thirteenth part three - kinda tame in todays standards"
Wayneo will love it!! :rofl:
but anyway i like...

I envy not in any moods
The captive void of noble rage,
The linnet born within the cage,
That never knew the summer woods;

In envy not the beast that takes
His license in the field of time,
Unfetter'd by the sense of crime,
To whom a conscience never wakes;

Nor, what may count itself as blest,
The heart that never plighted troth
But stagnates in the weeds of sloth:
Nor any want-begotten rest.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'T is better to have loved and lost
than never to have loved at all.

[JOC00L]

Haji...or anyone that is interested...here is a site that I go to whenever I feel like reading something from Gibran.
http://leb.net/gibran/

This goes directly to one of his works titled The Madman. I like reading this while drinking a couple of scotches and letting it all just mellow me out.:rolleyes:
http://leb.net/gibran/works/madman/madman.html

If you go through some of his works, there is some truly profound stuff. And its not all limited to Lebanon and Arabs. You have to remember that he pretty much lived in the States for most of his life. It's just all about man, and the trials and tribulations of our conscience and morality more than anything else.

Yeah I know...I actually had a few scotches tonight.:alcho meter:

[Haji]

Thanks for the web address JOCOOL, will certainly take your advice only substituting rum for scotch (love that Jamaican dark rum)

If you want a laugh have a look at "Haji not for a joke" posted in the Joke thread.

I'm stoked by the number of members who have made a positive response to this thread. Just goes to show the diversity of members on this site.

More power to the site!:hellyeah: :hellyeah: :hellyeah:

[xtosea]

If you like Dark Jamamican Run then i will have a prezzie for you Haji at the Day Out! Im positive you will enjoy it!

[Haji]

You've got me Kamil, the day out just keeps on getting better and better!:beerchug:

[storms72]

and just to top it off Haji, Kamil will be wearing the red dress.:1yikes: :ohhh yeah: :hellyeah: :rolling laughter:

[storms72]

While we're all feeling poetic....heres mine


Roses are red
Pickles are green
I love her legs
and whats inbetween!
:rolling laughter: :rolling laughter: :cool-smiley: