Saturday, April 14, 2012

Mikhail in my Cartoons - Saturday Cartoons Part 2!

On Children
(by Kahlil Gibran)

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
.............................................

I don't often quote anyone's poetry in this almanac. But since the sketch was drawn expressly with this poem by Kahlil Gibran in mind, it would not be fair not to do so. And I do try to be fair, though a sinner I am. Honest.

Below are some other cartoons done with my son, Mikhail in it. He has added an extra spice of uncertainty and exuberant brilliance in my life. I cannot thank God enough. And I cannot thank my son enough. One late night recently, as he was about to fall asleep, I said, "Thank you, Mika." Under the blanket and pillow he sleepily replied, "What for, Papa?" To which I answered, "For being born."

All these cartoons have been previously posted, but I hope it shall not impede your enjoyment.
Be close to your children. Who else can they come to,
if they cannot come to you in times of trouble?
The direction of prayers (kiblat) is towards the holy Kaaba in Mecca.
But in their formative years, you are the kiblat of your children.
Your children need you. But don't cramp their style.
They need room to breath and grow as how God intended.
And lastly, expect to be the object of humour and laughter for your children.
Children's laughter is the music of heaven. So what if you look foolish for a while?

Thank you for dropping in, sunshine. God bless all children, wonderful vessels of love and energy that they are.


wa min Allah at-taufiq


Hate has no place in Islam
Love will show the Way

4 comments:

Denise Emanuel Clemen said...

A wonderful post. Gibran's poem is even better with your cartoon.

Milky Tea said...

Hehehe. Thank u, Denise. God bless.

ida said...

i actually quoted part of this poem on my FB wall a few weeks ago and had quite a number of thumbs up, especially from mothers of course. it is good reading it again here especially when it is accompanied by your wonderful sketches/cartoons. i am amazed, intrigued and impressed half of the time by your writing (which i have to apologise, i quote without your prior permission but never forget to include due credit. hope you accept my apologies and allow me to continue quoting your lovely poems) and now i am even more amazed by your awesome sketches. anyhow i enjoy your poems and your writing tremendously. you are lucky to be given such talent and gift by the Beloved. keep all those lovely poems coming :) happy Sunday to you too or whatever's left of it.

Milky Tea said...

Yes, KG is an old sweetie with a wonderful turn of phrase in his writing. My father is fond of his poetry. May his soul rest in peace...

I am a firm believer in spreading good ideas and good news, so if you think any of the prose is worth your trouble to quote... you have my past, present and future permission.

Life can be tough, but life can be lovely. Have a good week ahead, Ida. Take care!

Taufiq.