Introduction

"The Broken Wings" (1912) is an emotional extended-prose poem by Kahlil Gibran, a renowned Lebanese-American poet and artist. This work is a tale of forbidden love set in Beirut around the turn of the 20th century. The story, which may be partly autobiographical, centers around a young man's unrequited love for Selma, a woman betrothed to another. Their forbidden romance ends in tragedy and reflects the social and cultural constraints of the time and place.

Poem Summary

While visiting a friend in Beirut, a unnamed young Lebanese student meets Farris Effandi Karamy, an older man who was a close friend of his father. The young man is immediately drawn to Farris and his kindness. Farris is a good but meek man who allows others to manipulate him. His daughter, Selma, is beautiful and intelligent. However, a corrupt bishop intends to marry her off to his nephew.

When they meet, the young man is immediately captivated by Selma's beauty and grace. They share stories, and the man describes a deep emotional experience during this meeting. He feels that Selma is the most amazing woman he could ever know. He questions whether love or merely the intoxication of youth causes him to see her in such a positive light.

Did my spirit and Selma's reach out to each other that day when we met, and did that yearning make me see her as the most beautiful woman under the sun? Or was I intoxicated with the wine of youth which made me fancy that which never existed?

The man's visits to Farris's home continue, and his admiration for Selma grows. He finds himself irresistibly drawn to her, and each visit uncovers new aspects of her character.

During one of these visits, a messenger arrives from the bishop requesting Farris's presence. Selma is left alone with the man, allowing them to deepen their bond.

However, the peace is shattered when Farris returns with bad news: Selma is to be forced into a marriage with the bishop's nephew, Monsour Bey. The bishop is after the family's money and does not care at all for Selma herself. Selma is heartbroken, and the man is filled with anger and despair. He leaves the house, his heart heavy with sorrow and uncertainty.

My departure was like Adam's exodus from Paradise, but the Eve of my heart was not with me to make the whole world an Eden. That night, in which I had been born again, I felt that I saw death's face for the first time.

As Selma prepares for her wedding, the man visits her one last time. They share a heartbreaking farewell. Farris's death adds to the sorrow, and the man witnesses Selma's deep grief when they visit the Farris on his deathbed. Before he dies, Farris tells the narrator to 

be a real brother to Selma as your father was to me. Be her help and friend in need, and do not let her mourn, because mourning for the dead is a mistake. Repeat to her pleasant tales and sing for her the songs of life so that she may forget her sorrows.

In defiance of social norms, Selma and the man begin secretly meeting in an ancient temple. Their conversations often concern deep philosophical and spiritual topics, such as the nature of women, love, and oppressive societal structures. Selma's courage and resilience further inspire the narrator. Their love endures and is a source of strength and comfort in a world filled with suffering.

During one of their meetings, Selma says that the bishop is growing suspicious. Faced with the threat of being...