Omar Khayyam

A tribute to Khayyam and the FitzGerald translations of the Rubaiyat--One of my father's favorite poems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Blowing Rose”, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam--illustration by Edmund Dulac

http://www.artsycraftsy.com/dulac/dulac_blowingrose.jpg

 

Quatrain XV Look to the blowing Rose about us--“Lo,

Laughing,” she says, “into the world I blow,

At once the silken tassel of my Purse

Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw.”      --Rubaiyat, FitzGerald Fifth Edition

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

This poem is a tribute both to Omar Khayyam and the FitzGerald translations of the Rubaiyat. Many of the images, language, and ideas are direct reflections of the Rubaiyat. This is entirely intentional and meant to pay homage to the piece.

Omar Khayyam

Rejoice, my friend, and raise your cup and sing.

Your worldly cares ne’er to the tavern bring.

   Leave fruitless sorrows waiting at the door.

Sad winter garments shed…and embrace spring!

 

Take heed, you, then to wisdom absolute:

Once kissed by death, all worldly cares are moot!

   And once into the cold grave you descend,

You’ll ne’er again taste of the grape’s sweet fruit.

 

So listen to the wise old Persian sage,

Who was the finest mind of his whole age,

   And with Khayyam, we’ll ruby beverage sip,

And spring the lock of sad life’s sorrows’ cage.

 

But what of knowledge and worldly pursuits?

Of these, in life, Khayyam, he was not mute!

   New calendar, celestial maps he made,

For algebraic problems found the root.

 

To seek true knowledge in your youth is fine,

And with the muse of art and science dine,

   But yet, once life is at its bitter end,

Your song is stopped--no matter what the time.

 

Remember, then, the warnings of our sage,

Who penned his wisdom on poetic page:

   “Despite great knowledge, I was ne’er as deep

As in wine"--ruthless sorrow to assuage.

 

So heed, you, then that you’ll not spend in haste

All of your worldly days and life make waste.

   So make, you, space your lifetime to enjoy,

Before your life from this world is erased.

 

But what then of the Paradise to come,

If we to wanton ways and Sin succumb?

   Ah, take the cash in hand--enjoy your life!

If soul lives on then why the dead so mum?

 

And if base Man falls easily to Sin,

This is our nature and the Lord’s chagrin.

   Who made us what we are, devised the Snake?

Corrupting us from outside and within!

 

And tell me is it justice to condemn

In fire, forever, the weak souls of Men?

   No lowly drunkard singing with his friends

Would cast Man down--he’d pick him up again!

 

So join me with Khayyam and we shall sing.

And winter sorrows in the fire fling.

   And quaff wine’s ruby beverage from our cups,

And bolt the door ‘gainst life’s sad somber things!

 

And in good time our end of days shall pass,

And we descend, are laid beneath the grass,

   And as we follow Khayyam to the grave,

In memory turn down your empty glass.

 

 

 

 

©2008, Richard Puetter

All rights Reserved

 

 

 

For more info see the Wikipedia article on Khayyam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Khayyam

 

The Rubaiyat can be found on the web at the following locations:

 

   2nd Edition:     http://www.kellscraft.com/rubaiyatedition2.html

   5th Edition:     http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rubaiyat_of_Omar_Khayyam/Fifth_Edition

Author's Note

To a poet, philosopher, and scientist that was so influential in my early life, and to FitzGerald, the western poet that really introduced Khayyam's potery to the world.

Reviews

[C.T. Bailey]

Rick, you are amazing. Even if I could never agree with his philosophies, I still find hope and happiness in your writing and his. Is it wrong for me to envy you talent...I should hope not. This piece is magnificent and more. Its appeal is its inspiration and it wisdom is found in the rebuke. Truly, just by the evaluation and study of this work, I am a better poet. I am proud to have read it. If I could rate it....100.
Todd

[Murtuza]

The structure of rhyme is brilliant. I enjoyed reading it.

[Dinesh Sairam]

Very well done, Rick. You got such good control over the language. I kind of had the feeling that the poem was getting too much philosophical in the middle stanzas. Otherwise, the rhythm and imagery really takes the heart away momentarily. I especially liked the last stanza. Absolutely fit a tribute.

PS. I wish they'd translate many good poets' works with rhythm. I recently brought a book of 'Gitanjali' (translated) by R. Tagore; much disappointed. I can see how good the imagery is, but the spoken-word like translation completely ruined it for me.

Keep writing.

[YouoweYoupay]

Extremely well written, old-fashioned in an antique-ish way, lots of wisdom arranged in neat stanzas and rhymes, I enjoyed this branched journey deep into the human intellect, soul, and weak, mortal excuses. The spirits of knowledge and well-researched theories are very obvious in those words. Excellent work, keep writing.

[Clarisse Nanoit]

Ha. I misread your descriptions. I've never read Khayyam either. =P

[Clarisse Nanoit]

I love this piece. Very nice. This is very old-fashioned, and I DON'T mean that in a bad way. This, I would say, is a great tribute, though I've never read FitzGerald. I'm inspired to now, though. Thanks for entering this into my drunk contest! =)
KH

[Ruth]

The way this is written love is remarkable! Truly moving! Our search sometimes seems so futile and there are so many questions to ask but answers are, well, void at times lol
There is such yearning in this, as you said, we have to lift ourselves up lol
I understand a lot of the anguish within this, a lot of seeking solace and hoping it is not all for nothing!
There is positivity here too though :)
Time to make use of each day, search but not become swamped! Seek but not blind ourselves to the beauty around us!
Awesome poem love, I admire this a lot :)
xx

[Charles D. Moorer]

I have not read the FitzGerald translations, but I will. This is indeed a wonderful tirbute. there are so many memorable lines in it: Ah, take the cash in hand-enjoy your life! If soul lives on then why the dead so mum?

[Ellen Hammond]

Wow! Just when I think I have seen the extent of your talents, you surprise me again. This is an outstanding tribute to both Omar Khayyam and the FitzGerald translation. Your rhyme and meter are superb as is the Victorian air. A very enjoyable read!

[deeps]

This is so so amazing, i am speechless really, that don't happen often!
So beautiful and wonderful. I like that pic you used as well.

[Emily B]

this is extremely beautiful, finely crafted words took me to that place :)