~Joy and Sorrow~

Your joy
is your sorrow
unmasked

And the selfsame well
from which
your laughter rises
was oftentimes filled
with your tears
and how else
can it be?

The deeper
that sorrow carves
into your being,
the more joy
you can contain

Is not the cup
that holds your wine
the very cup 
that was burned
in the Potter`s oven?

And is not the lute 
that soothes
your spirit
the very wood
that was hollowed
with knives?

When you are joyous,
look deep
into your heart
and you shall find
it is only that 
which has given you
sorrow
that is giving you
joy.

W hen you are sorrowful,
look again
in your heart,
and you shall see
that in truth
you are weeping
for that
which has been
your delight

Some of you say,
~Joy is greater
than sorrow~
and others say,
~nay, sorrow
is the greater~

But I say to you,
they are inseparable.
Together they come,
and when one sits
alone with you
at your board,
remember
that the other
is asleep
upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended
like scales
between your sorrow
and your joy.

Only when you are empty
are you at standstill
and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper
lifts you to weigh
  his gold and his silver,
needs must
your joy
or your sorrow
rise or fall.

Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet

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~We shall be known by the tracks we leave behind ~