"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 of you be alone,

"Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with 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 the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."

In this most unsettled of times, the wisdom of Lebanese American poet Kahlil Gibran brings sense and sensibility to the age-old conundrum of lovers' yearning to express personhood even while immersed in delicious loving. His words are gentle (but potent) reminders that even as individuality sparked their love affair, so, too, will its maintenance keep the spark alive.

In today's world, the need to express personhood/individuality ("Undependence" in Deitz talk) while very much in love remains puzzling. But Gibran's words are reassuringly gentle:

"Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

"But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

"And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. ...

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

"Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music."

We've uncovered another treasure trove of "Single File" paperbacks — in perfect condition, signed by Susan, ready to enjoy. Send $15 and your address: Susan Deitz, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 Third St., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Have a question for Susan? You can reach her directly at susan@single-file.com.

Photo credit: lambhappiness at Pixabay