Omar Khayyam : Not just a metaphor

For more about the 11th c. Persian Sufi and poet Omar Khayyam, see this earlier post.

Understand that you will be severed from your soul.
     You will be annihilated at the doorway to beyond.
So drink wine, for you have no idea of where you came
     and be joyful, for you know not where you’ll go.

For this is the truth, not just a metaphor.
   We are puppets in the Universe’s show.
      We play our roles till, one by one,
         we’re put back in the chest of toys.
            And the lid is closed.

Translation by Mary O’Connell with Roshanak Vahdani

2 Replies to “Omar Khayyam : Not just a metaphor”

  1. Maery Nauroz

    Couldn’t have said it better myself dear Nawab

    Well actually I could have said it much better- if I had taken more time !

    Hope you are well
    Maery Nauroz

    Reply
    • Nawab Pasnak Post author

      Dear Nauroz, thank you for the greetings, and for the translation. In poetry it is especially difficult, but I appreciate your versions very much, and I wish that volume were thicker! Sending loving greetings, Nawab

      Reply

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