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

[Salvatore Buttaci]

Congratulations for winning the ode-to-a-poet contest!

[Blade & Blood (The ..]

Neat! Very deep, Puetter. It reminds me so much of the English poems from the Victorian Age... I believe William Blake comes to mind as I read your poem. :) And if you know me, you'd know that I love religious overtones--whether they be in favor or against religion.

I love your philosophies! Great work; thank you for sharing.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

[Alaska Frost]

Great poem!! Very well written!!!
Oh, but just one thing (and i do feel silly for asking this): Who was Khayyam?

-Alaska Frost :)

P.S. - Congrats on your win!!!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A wonderful write, thank you for entering this piece.

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Congrats on your Winning Poem. This is an amazing write. Great Job.

[Mason Vail]

I confess, I'm not familiar with the Rubayiat so I can't comment on the quality or appropriateness of any references, but the piece was obviously technically well-constructed and read very well; meanings came through clearly. I enjoyed it, for sure.

So - off the poem and onto a particular theme within... I hear the "what kind of sick God would be so cruel" refrain from many, but I wonder what free will is worth if there are no meaningful choices to be made. My suspicion is that a lot of people must be working under the false impression that only superhuman saint-types qualify for walking through Door #1.

:)

[Max]

Wow, you amaze me once again. Your meter is once again absolutely perfect. I can see and feel everything going on in the poem. Great rhyme scheme. I can honestly find no flaws with this poem.

It's great to take inspiration from things. They can really produce some of the best work you've written.

[Tomás Ó C..]

You are one of my new favourite authors, up there with Michael Sullivan (aka Sullivan the Poet)...

[Wondering Mind]

Masterful, to say the least, although due to my own cultural background (Arab-Muslim) I have read the latter part of the Rubayiat from a more Sufist point-of-view in Rami's translation, never-the-less, your tribute to both men and the Rubaiyat was a pleasure to read.

[THE LOST ROSE]

Wow this poem was amazing and I must do the research to know more of this subject. Today you introduced me to something new. The passion this poem carries makes me want to read up on it more. Thanks for sharing and educating Rick. First draft. WOW!