The poem describes a flower that drinks dew, listens to birds, and dances in the grass while being watched over by the night. The flower sees itself as a gift, memory, and part of both joy and sorrow. It learns the wisdom of only looking up to the light and never down at its shadow.

2. SONG OF THE FLOWER
-KHALIL GIBRAN

3. As I embrace Slumber the eyes of
Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.

4. I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

5. I am the lover’s gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living of the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

6. But I look up high to see only the light,
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.

7. Slumber – to sleep
eg : Sleeping Beauty slumbered in
her bed.

8. Hearken – listen
eg : We must hearken the
prophet’s call.

9. Sway – move
eg : He swayed slightly on his feet.

10. Wreath – An arrangement of
flowers and leaves, usually in the
shape of a circle.

11. METAPHOR

12. • I am a kind of word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature.
• I am a star fallen from the sky.
• I am the daughter of elements.
• I was conceived by winter

13. • What is described as ‘the eye of the
day’?
• How does the flower become a part of
joy and sorrow?
• Why does the flower consider itself as
‘the last gift of the living to the dead’?
• What, according to the flower, is the
wisdom that man should learn?
• What is the meaning of the word
‘hearken’?

14. Read the poem again and complete the
following notes. One hint is given for you.
II. What are the everyday activities that the
flower is engaged in?
• Announce the coming of light.
• …………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………….
I. What does the flower say about itself?
• a kind word uttered and repeated by the voice of
nature.
• …………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………….

15. III. Who watches over the flower?
• …………………………………………………………………….
IV. How does the flower enjoy nature?
• I drink dew
• …………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………….

16. V. What is the flower used as?
• As the lover’s gift.
• …………………………………………………………………
• …………………………………………………………………
• …………………………………………………………………
VI. What is the flower’s vision?
• See only the light.
• …………………………………………………………………………….

17. I. What does the flower say about itself?
a kind word uttered and repeated by the voice of nature.
a star fallen from the sky
daughter of the elements
was conceived by winter
II. What are the everyday activities that
the flower is engaged in?
Announce the coming of light.
Bid the light farewell.
Decorate the plains with beautiful colours.

18. III. Who watches over the flower?
Eyes of night
IV. How does the flower enjoy nature?
• I drink dew
• Listen to the voice of the birds
• Dances to the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

19. V. What is the flower used as?
As the lover’s gift.
Wedding wreath
Wreath for the dead body.
Memory of a moment of happiness.
VI. What is the flower’s vision?
• See only the light.
• Never look down to see my shadow

20. ASSIGNMENT
Prepare a short note of
your favorite flower and
draw its picture?