Omar Khayyam poems about death in Persian with English translations

These poems by Omar Khayyam reflect upon the nature of death, its inevitability, and the philosophical contemplation surrounding it.


در رهگذر مرگ نگردد گم
روزی ز سینه برآورد غم
هستی همه آنجا که هستی نیست
بی هستی نیست هر آنچه می‌خواهم

In the passing of death, do not be lost,
Let not sorrow rise from your heart's frost.
Existence is there where non-existence lies,
Without non-existence, my desires exhaust.


مرگ ما جزای قرارست هر لحظه
از مرگ بنده بر مگردان مشتاق رخ
زندگانی از آن یابد آن که خویشتن را
نشناسد جز ز پیش دوستان به دشوار رخ

Our death is a destined fate at every moment,
Do not turn away the eager face from a servant's death.
Life shall find him who does not recognize himself
Except through the difficult face of beloved friends.


چون کاه تن است چون دمی در هوا
نیست ماندن گفت از آن دیوانه را
پیش از مرگ خود مگو کان مانده‌ای
چون نمی‌مانی پس چه اندر مانده‌ای

Like straw, the body is, like a breath in the air,
It is senseless to speak of staying here.
Do not say, "After my death, I will remain,"
If you do not remain, then what will you contain?


مرگ بر لب است و من زنده درون
در کشتن خود همچون زنده می‌خوابم
جان بود جان من و آن جا می‌رود
نیستم به نیستی و نیست می‌آیم

Death is on the lips, and I am alive within,
In killing myself, I sleep as if living.
My soul was my soul, and it goes there,
I am not in non-existence, but non-existence comes to me.


جان که از پی دوست اندر آتش بگذشت
دیگر نمی‌جوید جز مردن سر دوست
چون که آب خضر دید شد شاخهٔ نبات
از دوست نخواهد گشت زیرا که چون دوست

The soul that passed through fire for the sake of the beloved,
No longer seeks anything but dying at the beloved's threshold.
When the water of Khizr saw the branch of the tree,
It would not become separated from the beloved, for it is like the beloved.


نیستی که از آن می‌باید برمد
هستی که از آن برون باید برمد
جانی که درین دو بیست اصل جان است
چون برون رود زین دو اصل برمد

Non-existence is that from which one must emerge,
Existence is that from which one must transcend.
The soul that is the essence of these two states,
When it departs from these two essences, it shall emerge.

Omar Khayyam's poems about death

"When death's embrace shall close upon my soul,
Let not my passing be marked with sorrow's toll.
Instead, remember me with laughter and cheer,
For in memories, my essence shall forever dwell ..."

Omar Khayyam's poems about spring

"The Spring, that put the spirit in my veins,
Has turned the dust of longing into rains.
The garden blooms, the nightingale's song rings,
And in my heart, a thousand joys remain ..."

Best Omar Khayyam's poems in English

This caravan of life passes in a wondrous way,
Seize the moment that passes with delight.
O sorrowful cupbearer, why do you drink the wine of tomorrow?
Bring forth the goblet, for the night is passing ...