Observations placeholder
Omar Khayyam - The Rubaiyat - Magic Shadow Show
Identifier
007224
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyan
For in and out, above, about, below
'Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show
Play'd in a box whose candle is the sun
Round which we phantom figures come and go
'Tis all a chequer board of nights and days
Where Destiny with men for pieces plays
Hither and thither moves and mates and slays
And one by one back in the closet lays
The ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes
But right or left, as strikes the player goes
And He that toss'd thee down into the field
He knows about it all – He knows – He knows!
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
Ah love! Could thou and I with fate conspire
To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire
Would not we shatter it to bits – and then
Re-mould it nearer to the heart's desire