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

[Sheila Kline]

Hello Rick!

Congratulations as this amazing write is being featured in Alberts Poetry Corner!
I must read it, reread it, and then again....many times more savor it, as I attempt to understand the full message of it!
And, to be honest, I must go to the web links above and compare to the original work to do an honest review!
Just speaking of how it makes me feel, I would note that it has wonderful enthusiasm, like a battle cry to the troops before marching off to war. It is ripe with observations of life, and analysis of the "after-life".
In the last lines.......in memory turn down now empty glass. I would consider using the world "my" as you carry through the write, as you are speaking to others throughout the write, and as this is the last line of the poem, it might be nice to reflect on the ownership of it....all the feelings of it!
My ruby cup is thus filled with the richness of such poetic passion!
Sheila

[Helena]

Rick

I have just added this to my favourites!

Helena

[Sound]

Very nice. Makes me want to read this book and see what all the hoopla is about. Thanks for submitting!

[Helena]

Oh this was superb! I am lost for words and just want to get lost in your words again.
This going straight to my favorites! Music to my ears...pen on poet!

Helena :)

[emmajoy]

Your moving finger writes indeed! I almost feel the urge to refer to my copy of the Rubaiyat, to find the lines above. You have the flow, meter and phrasing down to a T

'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? - for some reason that made me smile.. was it meant to?!'

'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.' - Here your fine words embrace his intellect, intelligence.

Thank you, thank you for sharing.