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Prose Poems
An illustrated edition of early works by the Lebanese philosopher and artist
- GenresPoetryFictionMiddle East
88 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 1934
5 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Kahlil Gibran
1,390 books15.2k followersKahlil Gibran (Arabic:
جبران خليل جبران
) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer.
Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of Ottoman Mount Lebanon), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.
He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture.
Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.
Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of Ottoman Mount Lebanon), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.
He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture.
Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 13, 2026
This little book was published posthumously in 1934, as the author had died in 1931. It is a collection of poems, along with five plates of drawings by the author, and did not take long for me to read. And I enjoyed reading this volume.
I am not sure how the designation “prose poems” is different from any of the other poems the author wrote; perhaps, since these poems are not organized in a thematic way, it would be more accurate to call them “miscellaneous poems”. At any rate, they are all musings on love, death, and life, with the emphasis in that order. If called upon, I would say that my favorite poem in the collection is “My Soul Counselled Me”, which is one of the longer poems. In my copy, there is a note on the front endpapers that this book is for the “use of Sister Mary Charlotte”; additionally, there is a card addressed to Charlotte on “Entrance Day”, which is a welcome to her from Sister M. Lorraine. I have no idea of who Sister Mary Charlotte was.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I hope that Sister Mary Charlotte, where ever she is, would appreciate that this book has found a home in my bookshelves.
I am not sure how the designation “prose poems” is different from any of the other poems the author wrote; perhaps, since these poems are not organized in a thematic way, it would be more accurate to call them “miscellaneous poems”. At any rate, they are all musings on love, death, and life, with the emphasis in that order. If called upon, I would say that my favorite poem in the collection is “My Soul Counselled Me”, which is one of the longer poems. In my copy, there is a note on the front endpapers that this book is for the “use of Sister Mary Charlotte”; additionally, there is a card addressed to Charlotte on “Entrance Day”, which is a welcome to her from Sister M. Lorraine. I have no idea of who Sister Mary Charlotte was.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I hope that Sister Mary Charlotte, where ever she is, would appreciate that this book has found a home in my bookshelves.
February 27, 2026
Απ’ όσο γνωρίζω, η συγκεκριμένη συλλογή (Πεζοτράγουδα, Εκδ. Ωκεανίδα) κυκλοφόρησε μετά τον θάνατο του Γκιμπράν και συγκεντρώνει πρώιμα κείμενά του. Πρόκειται για μια σειρά πεζόμορφων ποιημάτων, τα οποία δεν κατάφεραν να με συγκινήσουν ιδιαίτερα. Μου άρεσαν αρκετά τα 4 τελευταία (Στην πολιτεία των νεκρών, Ο ποιητής, Φήμη, Χώμα), αλλά συνολικά δεν βρήκα την ευφυΐα, τη σπιρτάδα και τη στοχαστική δύναμη που έχουν άλλα, πιο ώριμα έργα του. Γενικά, δεν ταίριαξε αρκετά στο προσωπικό μου γούστο, γι’ αυτό και η βαθμολογία μου είναι σχετικά χαμηλή. Παρ’ όλα αυτά, είμαι βέβαιος ότι θα υπάρξουν αναγνώστες που θα το εκτιμήσουν περισσότερο.
⭐ 2.5
⭐ 2.5
September 5, 2021
Actual Rating: 4.5
I really loved this collection of Gibran’s earlier works. You can evidently see the development of his writing, and the depth of his profound efforts. It was a beautiful experience reading his lyrical prose. As someone familiar somewhat with Arabic poetry, I could very much see the traces of that poetic insight and thoughts in translation easily. I hope one day I’m able to read the original works in their native language, because I know it will be breathtaking.
I really loved this collection of Gibran’s earlier works. You can evidently see the development of his writing, and the depth of his profound efforts. It was a beautiful experience reading his lyrical prose. As someone familiar somewhat with Arabic poetry, I could very much see the traces of that poetic insight and thoughts in translation easily. I hope one day I’m able to read the original works in their native language, because I know it will be breathtaking.
November 3, 2021
This is no match for the Prophet, but there are some gems.
Namely “The Poet” toward volume’s end- great visuals and allusions to the season of the witch in that one.
A lovely foreword, and for as cerebral and heavenborne as this collection is you can’t beat the heavy meditation behind something like “Night”.
Namely “The Poet” toward volume’s end- great visuals and allusions to the season of the witch in that one.
A lovely foreword, and for as cerebral and heavenborne as this collection is you can’t beat the heavy meditation behind something like “Night”.
June 12, 2024
The young Kahlil Gibran writes beautifully in this book of poetry which was translated to Finnish not from the original Arabic but from English. Gibran's language is poetic, romantic and emotional and thus suits well my taste.
October 11, 2023
I will always treasure those soft and golden times where I am brought to open tears on the train
February 22, 2012
This is the first book by Kahlil Gibran that I have read that was not written by him in English. Prose Poems is a collection that was originally written in Arabic and so I do not know how much of what I have to say applies to the translator and how much applies to Gibran himself.
In the foreward, I learned that this book is a collection of "earlier works" by the author, and the impression I got while reading was that these were the efforts of a yet undeveloped talent. This collection of prose poems reminded me of nothing so much as a young artist's sketch book, wherein he tries his hand at a variety of subjects, some only partially completed, focusing on this detail or that, more with the intention of honing a particular skill than of creating complete piece of art. The subjects of the young artist's interests might be clear from what he's done, but the full scope is still beyond even his understanding; his style may be finding its delineations, but is presently inchoate nonetheless. Such are these prose poems for the young author: the skill and spiritual insight that would produce his later masterpieces are certainly in evidence, but their maturity and expert deployment are still yet points on the horizon.
In the foreward, I learned that this book is a collection of "earlier works" by the author, and the impression I got while reading was that these were the efforts of a yet undeveloped talent. This collection of prose poems reminded me of nothing so much as a young artist's sketch book, wherein he tries his hand at a variety of subjects, some only partially completed, focusing on this detail or that, more with the intention of honing a particular skill than of creating complete piece of art. The subjects of the young artist's interests might be clear from what he's done, but the full scope is still beyond even his understanding; his style may be finding its delineations, but is presently inchoate nonetheless. Such are these prose poems for the young author: the skill and spiritual insight that would produce his later masterpieces are certainly in evidence, but their maturity and expert deployment are still yet points on the horizon.
May 19, 2020
Though Gibran's prose reads like poetry, his poetry takes his message of love and hope to a higher level. They are more lyrical and spiritual than moralizing like his prose often is. His sensitivity to the human condition really comes through.
March 24, 2020
Beautiful
December 9, 2024
"But now I have learned to listen to the silence,
To hear its choirs singing the songs of ages,
Chanting the hymns of space, and disclosing the the secrets of eternity."
- Kahlil GIbran, My Soul Counselled Me
The style is unmistakably his, despite that this book is of early poems of Kahlil Gibran. Gibran has a unique way of telling a story or fable, or providing and insight, with his prose poems.
Some of the poems are not as good as others, but some are simply excellent.
To hear its choirs singing the songs of ages,
Chanting the hymns of space, and disclosing the the secrets of eternity."
- Kahlil GIbran, My Soul Counselled Me
The style is unmistakably his, despite that this book is of early poems of Kahlil Gibran. Gibran has a unique way of telling a story or fable, or providing and insight, with his prose poems.
Some of the poems are not as good as others, but some are simply excellent.
April 6, 2018
3.5 A rather repetitive yet uneven collection which nonetheless has some insightful reflections and observations contained within. I found it good to practice my reading voice with this collection.
April 13, 2018
4.5
But now I have learned to listen to silence,
To hear its choirs singing the songs of ages,
Chanting the hymns of space and disclosing the secrets of eternity.
But now I have learned to listen to silence,
To hear its choirs singing the songs of ages,
Chanting the hymns of space and disclosing the secrets of eternity.
May 2, 2021
I wasn’t massively blown away....
August 30, 2025
fabuloso. 6 estrelas!
February 16, 2012
Why I gave 4 stars:
1. This book is a translation from Arabic.
2. It is his earlier prose poems.
3. He was still a Christian.
4. Compared to his other works, this one is very young. So I gave 4 stars, instead of 3.
1. This book is a translation from Arabic.
2. It is his earlier prose poems.
3. He was still a Christian.
4. Compared to his other works, this one is very young. So I gave 4 stars, instead of 3.
October 1, 2013
Kahlil Gibran's just not my bag.
October 27, 2016
Another great little collection by Gibran who always finds a way to skillfully navigate both the external and internal dimensions of life, body, spirit and mind.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews