A continuation of my previous article:
READ HERE: https://read.cash/@Katlinfinity/elements-of-poetry-analysis-of-kahlil-gibrans-on-friendship-70f30d21
In the first line, the persona is asked what friendship means to him. He starts by saying that a friend is someone who will be there for you when you may need them.
In the next line, he compares a friend to that of a field in which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. This means that you treat them with love and care and in return, you will gain something such as a favor as an expression of thanks. As inferred from the saying 'You reap what you sow', your friend would also treat you the same way you did to them- with love and care.
In the fourth line, the persona says that a friend is someone who acts as your 'fireside'. The word 'fireside' means 'home'. Home is where you should feel the safest and the most comfortable.
In the next line, he says that you go to your friend with hunger. This can also mean that you go to your friend when you need to fulfill it. The persona also says that when your friend speaks his or her mind, you do not mind whether or not they disagree with you. This goes to show that as a friend, you should respect their opinion, even if they do not agree with you. He says that when your friend is silent, you can still sense that there is something wrong or there is something on his mind. You will be able to tell even if he does not say it out loud. This shows how close friends should be as they need not speak to convey their message. The persona compares it to that of how a 'mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain'. Other than bonding two people together, there should not be any superficial reasons or purpose in a friendship. You should not give too much thought about the benefits you might gain from being that person's friend. This also means that you should only be friends with a person for who they are, not what they are. You should do the very best you can for your friends. You must let your friends know the way you do certain things. This will help to bring you and your friend closer to one another because there is a better understanding between the two. This can be inferred from the line 'If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also'. When you and your friend have gotten closer, you will 'seek him for hours to live' instead of 'hours to kill'. This shows that you will enjoy your time with your friends because you will 'live' with them. When finding something to kill time, it means that you are bored and there will be a feeling of emptiness that needs to be filled. You will only be with your friends for the sake of killing time. When you 'live' with your friends, you will find time to spend with them, not only when you are bored or have nothing better to do, but because you want to be with your friends and enjoy time together.
In the last part, the persona then concludes that friendship should be filled with happiness and pleasure. Friendship is a sweet thing that can be shared among friends. These little joys in life will help to make life much more interesting and fruitful.
Next articles: READING BETWEEN THE LINES & READING BEYOND THE LINES
Wow! I am so proud of you :) hahahaha