Cornerstones*

Gibran left an Empire decaying in ashes of former greatness. Who will come as phoenix to nation reborn, growing steadily in strength? Moulding itself in virtue’s light seeking crystal rays of clear vision. Must many bring cornerstones together for construction of a monument’s making? Master builder cannot build on gigantean scale alone. To build an edifice to mankind takes co-operative efforts of many hands. How is it O Lebanon! Splinter cast free of encroaching empires’ dominance that war has come to tear your heart? From heaven’s height O Beirut do tears fall of Gibran’s weeping. In your streets do your children die emasculated stricken with hunger’s pain, diseases’ clawing hand. Though exiled by masters of a former empire Gibran never left you O Lebanon. His body was ever cloaked with garment of your ways his heart, ever full with a father’s love O Lebanon. Where are his sons Oh country of his love? To comfort children of that love in need. To stay bloody hand tearing a noble heart, to lead toward prosperity and rejoicing. Where O Lebanon! And where is promise? Vision his awakened dream foretold overflowing. Come new nations of Empires ancient origin as stranger walking streets beyond antiquated walls. Crushing inwards are confining mounds of rubble. Future cities have outgrown their necessity. In mosque and bazaar also pass heralded, shadow of new age. Paying homage to belief to tradition which is upheld in all found good. But swift and mighty be axe to cut out cleanly, creeping rotting wood. For a strong nation facing a demanding age; Cannot stand on weak foundations time’s undermined. Like prophets chosen of Allah calming waves of an encroaching hungry sea are those enlightened hearing the stirring of a coming voice. When will you hear O Lebanon? When will you gather fruit prepared of your prophet? Gladly eat of love’s gift to lighten centuries’ burden? Are not all races of man starving simultaneously as one? But then children yours was a political Lebanon’s problems. His was Lebanon of natural beauty. Shrouds of ash and smoke burn like funeral fires. Hide face of the moon. May wisdom’s seed blossom in the garden of your soul. Khalil Gibran was born in the Christian Maronite town of Bsharri in Lebanon, then part of the Ottoman Empire in decline, the remnant of which became the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Generals like Kazim Karabekir and Mustafa Kamel; who became Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Gibran’s mother was the daughter of a Maronite priest and priests taught Gibran about the Bible, and Arabic and Syriac languages. Maronite Christian’s spoke a dialect of Aramic and Christian Aramaic is still the liturgical language of the Maronite Church. Gibran returned to his homeland, at age fifteen, to study at a Maronite institute in Beirut. Gibran supported Arabic as a national language for Syria and wrote the famous poem ‘Pity The Nation’. Copyright © Terence George Craddock