The Rubaiyat

Selected verses from  'The Rubaiyat'  of  Omar Khayyam. ( a Persian polymath of the 11th century )
Originally written in Persian language. Below is its literal English translation which i luckily found during one of my random surfing escapades. Read on and plunge yourself into the beauty of his writing.

"The secrets eternal, neither you know nor i

and answers to the riddle, neither you know nor i

Behind the veil there is much talk about us, why

when the veil falls, neither you remain nor i"

Don't permit sorrow to be your friend

sadness and pain will become your trend

Don't let the book or the farm you tend

rule your life before to earth you descend

Once transpired can not be changed

only pain will come if remorse engaged

Though with sorrow you may be aged

Not even a dot will be rearranged

All my companions, one by one they died

with angel of death, they now reside

In the banquet of life, the same wine we tried

a few cups back, they fell to the side

Some always seek the rational mind

some will appeal to faith that's blind

If you turn within, you will surely find

both paths will lead you further behind

I would rather be compassionate

than piously pray and fast

God is loving, god is great

He is my destroyer, He is my mate

The grass that grows by every stream

like angelic smiles faintly gleam

Step gently, cause it not to scream

for it has grown from a lover's dream

When the creator forged the nature

why imperfect was the venture

If it is good, why departure

and if bad, why form the capture

Anxiously i began this course

with life, my awe grew even worse

Unwillingly returned with force

what was the point, i ask my source

Beloved friends let's gather

for each other, together care

With raised cup, salute and share

in memory of he who isn't there

In the wheel of fortune, the unseen vine

drink, be merry, wait your turn in line

When it is your turn, neither cry nor whine

everyone must taste the same deadly wine

Oh friend, lets not think of tomorrow

cherish this moment, far from sorrow

Life is a temporal gift that we borrow

whether dead for ages or leave tomorrow"...

and in homage to his genius, a little nothing from this lesser mortal 

"all the religions and philosophies, your poem transcends
 a tired soul of mine , in your love it comes and rests
 wait a while ,see the beauty it says
 drink in the dawn before dusk pervades"