Some of the translated thoughts of Omar Khayyam



Scarlet macaw bird by Artist Lila Fleetwood Spence

Omar Khayyam who was known as a Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher and poet. He was born in 1048 and died in 1131. He is most known for his quatrains (rubaiyaas) in Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam which are rather free-wheeling English translations by Edward FitzGerald (1809-1883). The following are a few of the translations from his works.



In life devote yourself to joy and love Behold the beauty of the peaceful dove Those who live, in the end must all perish Live as if you are already in heavens above.

O friend, for the morrow let us not worry This moment we have now, let us not hurry When our time comes, we shall not tarry With seven thousand-year-olds, our burden carry.

O hark, let us not think of the morrow Cherish this moment, far from sorrow Life is a temporal gift that we borrow Whether dead for ages, or leave tomorrow.

Why was I given life? Why was my seed ever sown? Why having to leave all alone with moan and groan? If the universal wisdom received mine on loan I’d never be born, stay or leave, let it be known.

I watched the birds on nature’s stage Playful, in flight, page after page Thus opened the doors of my cage & learnt each moment to fully engage.

When events unfold with calm and ease When the winds that blow are merely breeze Learn from nature, from birds and bees Live your life in love, and let joy not cease.

There was a Door to which I found no Key: There was a Veil past which I could not see: Some little Talk awhile of ME and THEE There seemed--and then no more of THEE and ME.

The only secret that you need to know The passage of time is a one way flow If you understand, joyously you’ll grow Else you will drown in your own sorrow.

One is great Who faces fate Before it’s late, Appreciate The destined state No matter how much we debate Oppose, engage, or calculate Even try to accelerate Fate only moves at its own rate. Futile is worry, anger and hate Joy is the only worthy mate.

Anxiously I opened my eye Understanding, try, try, try Reluctantly agreed to die Come, stay and leave, I only ask why?

The only constant is time’s passage Which is the same for both fool and sage To young and old time’s only message Engage in joy, put away your rage From the unknown set foot upon the stage And leaving this cage one day is your wage.

Every creature honor and respect Bird or beast, plant or insect If you look at life you will detect From dust to dust, divine intellect.

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

http://www.okonlife.com/poems/