After Omar

a Glosa

 

 

 

 

Awake for morning in the bowl of night

 has flung the stone that puts the stars to flight.

 And lo the hunter of the east has caught

The sultan’s turret in a noose of light.

 

Omar Khayyam

 

Awake for morning in the bowl of night

 is pouring never ending streams of light

Which emanating from the east has fought

 and put the darkness of the night to flight.

 

The sun displays to every man his might

Has flung the stone that puts the stars to flight

His gifts are given free cannot be bought

 or sold by any man. None has the right.

 

And Lo the hunter from the east has caught

 so easily the prey that he has long sought.

The Imam prays but prayers will gain him nought

Because the Sun is stronger than he thought.

 

The Sultan's turret in a noose of light

Presents newly awakened eyes a sight

each day that comes unbidden and unsought.

Accepted by all men as their birthright.

 

12-Feb-08