♥ on marriage.

one of my very best friends is getting married this weekend,

so in honor of the lovely occasion, i may focus a little more on weddings

this week. beginning with one of my favorite passages from

kahlil gibran's work, the prophet. here is his take on marriage:

(photo from a wedding, 2007)

you were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

you shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of god.

but let there be spaces in your togetherness,

and let the wingds of the heavens dance between you.

love one another, but make not a bond of love:

let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.

give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

even as the strongs of a lute are alone though they quiver the same music.

give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.

for only the hand of life can contain your hearts.

and stand together yet not too near together:

for the pillars of the temple stand apart,

and the oak tree and cypress grow not in each other's shadow.