The oak tree and the cypress

SATB, a cappella with tenor and soprano soloists

I never tire of Kahlil Gibran’s writings from his landmark 1923 book, The Prophet.  It’s been translated into over 100 different languages and is one of the best-selling books of all time (it has never been out of print).  When a friend of mine asked me to write a piece for his upcoming wedding, I knew I’d find something in Gibran’s writings that would be appropriate and, as usual, the Lebanese-American poet didn’t disappoint.

The book concerns itself with the fictional prophet, Al Mustafa, who is about to embark on a ship that will take him back to his homeland from the fictional city of Orphalese.  As he sets out on his journey, he is approached by a group of people with whom he engages in profound conversations about life and the human experience.  One of these people in particular, a woman named Almitra, is deeply moved by the prophet’s wisdom and she ends up serving as his spiritual counterpart in the narrative, guiding the flow of his teachings.  Her presence and inquiries prompt the reflections that form the core of The Prophet.

What I find miraculous about Gibran’s musing on the subject of marriage is how it is counter to the popular Western narratives surrounding the idea of commitment.  One doesn’t need to subsume oneself in order to be committed to a partnership.

The oak tree and the cypress was commissioned by Kurt Edward Kruckeberg for Daniel Abraham Flores.  It was premiered at their wedding by the Byrd Ensemble at the Seattle Art Museum on May 2, 2025.  It is dedicated with love, hope, and joy to them on their wedding day.

The Text

On Marriage
By Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

Then Almitra spoke again and said, And
what of Marriage, master?
     And he answered saying:
     You were born together, and together you
shall be forevermore.
     You shall be together when the white
wings of death scatter your days.
     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.

     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 one 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.