THE MAD MAN
KHALIL GIBRAN
When my Sorrow was born I nursed it with care, and watched over it with loving tenderness.
And my Sorrow grew like all living things, strong and beautiful and full of wondrous delights.
And we loved one another, my Sorrow and I, and we loved the world about us; for Sorrow had a kindly heart and mine was kindly with Sorrow.
And when we conversed, my Sorrow and I, our days were winged and our nights were girdled with dreams; for Sorrow had an eloquent tongue, and mine was eloquent with Sorrow.
And when we sang together, my Sorrow and I, our neighbours sat at their windows and listened; for our songs were deep as the sea and our melodies were full of strange memories.
And when we walked together, my Sorrow and I, people gazed at us with gentle eyes and whispered in words of exceeding sweetness. And there were those who looked with envy upon us, for Sorrow was a noble thing and I was proud with Sorrow.
But my Sorrow died, like all living things, and alone I am left to muse and ponder.
And now when I speak my words fall heavily upon my ears.
And when I sing my songs my neighbours come not to listen.
And when I walk the streets no one looks at me.
Only in my sleep I hear voices saying in pity, “See, there lies the man whose Sorrow is dead.”
Figurative Language
Personification:
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"When my sorrow was born I nursed it with care,"
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"watched over it with loving tenderness."
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"but my sorrow died like all living things"
Metaphor:
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"And when my Sorrow grew like all the living things, strong and beautiful and full of wondrous delights."
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"my Sorrow and I, our days were winged and our nights were girdled with dreams; for Sorrow had an eloquent tongue, and mine was eloquent with Sorrow."
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"And when we sang together"
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"And when we walked together"
Metaphor:
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"When my sorrow was born"
Software Findings Reoccurring Words
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Sorrow, Songs, Things, Words, Kindly
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With these findings we can conclude that this poem is about our sorrows and what we posses.
Interpretation
My interpretation of "When my Sorrow was born" reflects on the theme of sacrifice and loss. We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
