Love Letters in the Sand: The Love Poems of Khalil Gibran

by Kahlil Gibran, Kahlil Gibran, Lassaad Metoui (Illustrator)

Optimistic and wise, these love poems convey a mystical certainty of the arrival of love, while dramatizing the search for a soul mate that takes place in daily life, the imagination, and dreams. Inviting reflection on the meaning of love and eloquently rendering the chain of moments that the experience of love leads us through, this famous inspirational poet channels the same proverbial simplicity and lyrical beauty that made his poem "The Prophet" instantly and internationally loved.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Spirituality, Romance, Love, Philosophy, Literature

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Kahlil Gibran (Arabic: جبران خليل جبران ) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer.
Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of Ottoman Mount Lebanon), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.
He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture.
Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Beautiful poems to be read time and time again

"Love is the only freedom
in this world. Because it elevates
the spirit to such a supreme point
that neither mankind's laws
nor its customs can touch it,
nor can the laws or facts of
nature change its course."

"Narrow-minded love
seeks to possess
the beloved.
But boundless love
is never so demanding."

"Who would sell me one beautiful thought
for a hundred pounds of gold? Who
would exchange one minute of love
for a handful of gems?
Who would give me one eye
that can see beauty,
in exchange for all my treasures?"

[Katie Marquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written without becoming too overly sentimental.

"I want to die from longing, and never
live in boredom. I want there to be,
in the depth of my soul,
a hunger for love and beauty.
As I observe mankind, I see
that those who are satisified are the most
wretched, and the most attached to matter.
I have also heard the sighs of those
who are full of desire and longing
and have found in them a gentleness
sweeter than the sweetest melody."

[Edita · Rating 4 out of 5]

When love beckons you, follow him
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you, yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may
wound you.
And when he speaks to you,
believe in him.
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
*
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its
melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give
thanks for another day of longing;
*
But memory
is an autumn leaf that murmurs
a while in the wind and then
is heard no more.
*
For life goes no backward
nor tarries with yesterday

[Ian Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

a deceptively simple book of love poems that you'll be finished in 15 minutes flat, but then something interesting happens - you'll find yourself replaying phrases and poems and thinking about the underlying meanings in the text. Before you know it you'll be thinking about your own ideas of the meaning of Love

[Pleiades · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the original but collection of his works. Some are from The Prophet. Nevertheless, I understand Gibran a little bit more — optimistic and patient.

“Where are you now, my beloved?
Do you hear my weeping
From beyond the ocean?
Do you understand my need?
Do you know the greatness of my patience?”

[Zainab Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I stumbled upon this book, covered in dust, in a huge library of my uncle who is an Ambassador at Europe - I was flabbergasted. This book really intrigued me! I was 14 at the time, and this exposure really provided me with a foundation to agnize my own hidden potentials at romantic writings and poetry, too.
I really admire Khalil Gibran, I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves poetry. His thoughts are awesome.
:)
I have also read extensive works of his, and also his biography.

[Vani]

favorites:
- The springtime of love
- One minute of love
- Joy/Value
- The act is the image of love
- Revelation
- Friend
- Path/Soul

[Rabia Göktaş · Rating 5 out of 5]

May Ziyade’ye aşık eden bir kitap olmuştu.

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and moving book that I am going to purchase a copy of (borrowed this one from the library) so I can return to it again and again to enjoy it some more. Khalil Gibran's writings about love are sweet and beautiful, inspiring and sometimes sad, while the calligraphy illustrations are truly stunning. I am thinking of enlarging some of these gorgeous drawings and framing them for my home. I'd like to learn to read Arabic just so I can understand these beautifully and artistically written words. This is a book to cherish and peruse again and again.

[keong nakal · Rating 5 out of 5]

deep.... only for people with deep deep deep thinking

[Amir Gadhvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant - I wish there was a little more commentary on the poetry.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this up and really read it for the first time since it was gifted to me by an ex years ago. the beauty of the language is only outmatched by the drawings that incorporate Arabic characters. loved the simplicity and candor of the poetry in contrast with the intricacy and mystery of the visual components. ultimately both evoke such deep feeling, it was easy to drift off ruminating on the greater questions of life, love, and beauty.

bits that stood out on this read:
"Love is quivering happiness"

"Hearts united in pain and sorrow / will not be separated by joy and happiness. / Bonds that are woven in sadness / are stronger than the ties of joy and pleasure. / Love that is washed by tears / will remain eternally pure and beautiful."

"Sorrow is just a wall between two gardens"

[sameera · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found this hidden gem of a book in a second-hand bookshop, and i knew immediately that it would be one to cherish. i’ve been meaning to read some of gibran’s poetry for some time now and this was a perfect introduction to his work. it’s a simple and evocative collection of beautiful poems on the meaning and experience of love, joy and the important moments of daily life, and each poem is accompanied with striking arabic calligraphy composed by the contemporary artist lassaâd metoui.

the collection is short and sweet and i finished reading it quickly, but i found myself perusing my favourite poems long afterwards, and i’ll definitely be flicking through this from time to time. the line that stood out to me in particular was ‘but memory is an autumn leaf that murmurs a while in the wind and then is heard no more’ <3

[Fran Spellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book of love poems was given to me from the library of a dear friend who passed away suddenly last month. Colin loved poetry and we often shared a favorite or two, one being Gibran. This is a perfect little book to sit and reflect on what is important in our lives. “They say; If a man knew himself, he would know all mankind.” I say, “If a man loved mankind, he would know something of himself.” From The Love Poems of Khalil Gibran

[Iqra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Optimistic and wise, these love poems convey a mystical certainty of the arrival of love, while dramatizing the search for a soul mate that takes place in daily life, the imagination, and dreams. Lassaâd Metoui’s lyrical calligraphy interprets Khalil Gibran’s writing and makes it a rich source of comfort and enlightenment.

"Darkness may hide the trees and flowers from the eyes but it cannot hide love from the soul."

[Scar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorrow is just a wall between two gardens.

The heart with its ramified feelings,
Is like a cedar with spreading branches
If the céder lose a strong branch,
It suffers but does not die
It carries its vital energy
To the neighboring branch
That will grow and fill the void
With its young green twigs

[heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Cliff's Notes version of Khalil Gibran. For the poems and quotes that are included in this collection I would actually give it 3 stars, but the beautiful calligraphy that accompanies the text makes this book a 4-star.

Recommended for light reading and those who want a taste of Gibran.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the caligraphy with the poems

[Uzma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating, thought-provoking poems—some darker than others. Exquisite calligraphy.

[Star · Rating 3 out of 5]

gifted this to my friend on their birthday. it’s a beautiful book and their reaction was super entertaining

[y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is quivering happiness.

[Syakirah Athaya Azalea · Rating 5 out of 5]

someone said, "deep.... only for people with deep deep deep thinking." indeed.

[Alexa Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

[eloisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

tenía frases bastante reflexivas y bonitas, eso si no me gusto que a veces metieran a dios porque como que no da

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking poetry and calligraphy. A beautiful little book to cherish.

[Cameron Sadr · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Do not live half a life, do not die half a death."

[Den Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal poems from one of the best to ever do it. The calligraphy accompaniment is a beautiful addition

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

wish i had the original text and not the translation < / 3 but still fire

[Trixy Lemell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really believed that Khalil Gibran's, Love Letters in the Sand, would be a much shorter read. It wasn't a long read but, I found myself slowing down, taking in, and really feeling each piece presented. The writing has a nice flow, the font is easy on the eyes, and each piece leaves you reflecting on what you just read. There is no preaching or any of that "deep" poetry that leaves you confused. Yet, I did find myself thinking and not in that whole college level thinking about the world around me but, thinking about me and envisioning myself at peace in the world.

And I liked that.

I'll be reading this book many times over; maybe while wearing a long flowing skirt and a thick sweater while drinking hot tea on a cold misty morning or, maybe while sitting under a cloudless blue sky while the sun's warmth dances across my shoulders. It is that type of book that provokes this type of thinking.

[Jin Kok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the poems he wrote in this book is simple. But the meanings behind them are profound and inspiring. One walk through this mystical book of "Love Letters in the Sand" would allow you to reignite with your lost soul.