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I am the memory of a moment of happiness;

I am the last gift of the living to the dead;

I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

But I look up high to see only the light,

And never look down to see my shadow.

This is wisdom which man must learn.

—Khalil Gibran

About the Poet
Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) was born in Bsharri, Lebanon. He immigrated with his mother and siblings to Boston in 1895.
Gibran was a prolific artist who created hundreds of paintings and drawings. In 1920, he was a co-founder, along with other
poets of Arab and Lebanese backgrounds, of The Pen-bond Society, a literary society, also known as Al Rabitat al Qualamiya.
Gibran’s works, written in both Arabic and English, are full of lyrical outpourings and express his deeply religious and mystical
nature. The Prophet, a book of poetic essays, achieved cult status among American youth for several generations.

Time to answer

A. Choose the correct option.

1. Who is the speaker of the poem?

a leaf a tree Spring a flower

2. Which of these could be the theme of the poem?
a flower talking about itself

the cycle of life and death
enjoying every moment of life

being an integral part of Nature
3. When was the flower born?

in summer in autumn

in spring in winter

4. Which stanza captures the life cycle of a flower?

Stanza 1 Stanza 2 Stanza 4 Stanza 7

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