This week’s choice is “Rainbows” by Kahlil Gibran.
But let me be what I know best
Khalil Gibran (1883—1931)
A friend that’s always there.
Poem 201. Rainbows
If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it just for you.
And share with you its beauty
On the days you're feeling blue.
If I could build a mountain
you could call your very own.
A place to find serenity
a place to be alone.
If I could take your troubles
I would toss them in the sea.
But all these things I'm finding
are impossible for me,
I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair,
But let me be what I know best
A friend that's always there.
This is a simple but lovely poem—Kahlil Gibran concludes that although he is unable to achieve all these amazing feats, he can do his best to be a friend.
I like this poem because it captures very well our desire to present amazing things to those we love and reminds us that for all the extravagance of these feelings, the best thing you can be in many cases is a friend to others. I am very lucky that so many of my friends are always there for me.
I remember that feeling of wanting to take reality and wrap it up as a present for Nicola, the wish to show her the things that I love (a wish that is still present if unfulfilled) and to share the marvellous things in life. I hope that eventually I shall feel again that desire to perform miraculous feats to please someone and I hope I shall never forget to be a friend to those that have befriended me.