Omar Khayyam (47)

Juan Cole 03/01/2012

No one can pierce
the veil of mystery.
No one’s soul is aware
of this arrangement.
Only in the heart
of the black earth
do we have a home.
A shame this story
isn’t short.

Translated by Juan Cole
from Whinfield 47

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Distinguished University Professor in the History Department at the University of Michigan He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page