Quatrain 8 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
ابر آمد و باز بر سر سبزه گریستبی بادهٔ گلرنگ نمیباید زیست
این سبزه که امروز تماشاگه ماستتا سبزهٔ خاک ما تماشاگه کیست
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
The rubai presented here is a classic example of Omar Khayyam's work. It's often interpreted as a meditation on life, death, and the importance of enjoying the present moment.
English Translation
A more literal translation
The cloud came and wept again upon the green,
Without wine of rose-color, life is not worth living.
This green that is our spectacle today,
Until when will our own green be a spectacle?
A more poetic and interpretive translation
The sky wept tears upon the verdant plain,
A life without wine feels like such pain.
This grassy field, our pleasure ground today,
When will our bodies turn to grass and clay?
A contemporary and informal translation
The clouds cried over the grass so green,
Life without wine just doesn’t mean a thing.
This field, our playground, won’t last for long,
When will we be just grass, where we belong?
"ابر آمد و باز بر سر سبزه گریست": This line paints a vivid image of rain falling on the grass, symbolizing the cycle of life and death.
"بی بادهٔ گلرنگ نمیباید زیست": Here, "wine of rose-color" is a metaphor for life's pleasures and enjoyment. The poet suggests that life without pleasure is not worth living.
"این سبزه که امروز تماشاگه ماست": This line emphasizes the temporary nature of life and beauty.
"تا سبزهٔ خاک ما تماشاگه کیست": This final line poses a poignant question about the ultimate fate of humans, comparing them to the grass that withers and dies.
Themes and Interpretations
Carpe Diem: The poem encourages readers to seize the day and enjoy life's pleasures.
The transience of life: The image of the withering grass is a powerful metaphor for the impermanence of human existence.
The importance of pleasure: The poet suggests that enjoying life's pleasures is a fundamental part of the human experience.
The cycle of nature: The poem aligns human life with the natural world, emphasizing the cycle of birth, growth, and decay.
This rubai is a beautiful and timeless exploration of the human condition. It invites us to reflect on our place in the universe and to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life.