The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Step into the world of a 12th‑century Persian polymath whose mind wandered among the stars, wine‑cups and the ticking of the hourglass. In this collection of brief, self‑contained verses, the poet balances scientific curiosity with a tender, often playful, contemplation of life’s fleeting pleasures. The opening pages set the scene with a vivid portrait of his scholarly circle, a promise of friendship and a shared longing for both knowledge and the simple joys of a good drink.

The translation renders those ancient quatrains into smooth, resonant English verse that feels both historic and surprisingly immediate. Listeners will hear recurring images of roses, the night sky, and the inevitable rise of the sun, each line inviting a pause to consider how much we can control and how much we simply taste. The result is a timeless meditation that celebrates the present moment while gently questioning the mysteries beyond it.