Rubaei number 56, from Khayyam:

آنها که کهن شدند و اینها که نو اند

هر کس به مراد خویش یک یک بدوند

این کهنه جهان به کس نماند باقی

رفتند و رویم دیگر آیند و روند

 

Those who have aged, and those who are still young,
Each one is trying according to their own desires.
This ancient world remains for no one,
They departed, we too, and others will come and go.

Khayyam’s verses remind us of the impermanence of life, the passage of time, and the cyclical nature of existence.

 

Omar Khayyam, the renowned Persian poet, mathematician, and philosopher, indeed grappled with existential themes in his poetry. His verses often explore the transient nature of life, the passage of time, and the impermanence of human existence. Khayyam poems often have a theme of :

  1. Regret and Mortality:

    • Khayyam’s poems frequently express a sense of melancholy and regret. He contemplates the brevity of life, the inevitability of death, and the fleeting moments of joy.

    • Through his words, he invites readers to reflect on their own mortality and the choices they make during their brief time on Earth.

  2. Seize the Day:

    • While Khayyam acknowledges life’s impermanence, he also encourages living fully in the present. His philosophy aligns with the Latin phrase “carpe diem,” which means “seize the day.”

    • Despite the regrets and existential pondering, Khayyam emphasizes enjoying life, savoring beauty, and embracing love.

  3. Wine, Love, and Philosophy:

    • Khayyam often uses wine as a metaphor for both pleasure and wisdom. His wine-loving persona represents a desire to experience life’s richness.

    • Love, too, features prominently in his poetry. Whether romantic or spiritual, love becomes a refuge against the harsh realities of mortality.

  4. Sufi Influence:

    • Khayyam’s poems are infused with Sufi mysticism. His exploration of love, longing, and the divine reflects the Sufi tradition’s focus on inner spirituality.

    • Sufi poets seek union with the divine, transcending earthly limitations.

In summary, Khayyam’s verses serve as a reminder to cherish the present, appreciate beauty, and contemplate life’s deeper questions. While he acknowledges the sorrow inherent in mortality, he also celebrates the human experience.