Soliloquies To Khayam-Omeh Poem by Alexandre Nodopaka

Shortened Quatrain number One

Squatting along the dunes
From cupped hands salt water drips
into the sand. I'm mesmerized by infinity absorbed.

Shortened Quatrain number Two

The waves upon washing over a field of
Smooth black pebbles rustle a song
Whose mysterious language is known only to them.

Shortened Quatrain number Three

The misfit lid over the wine jar allows the devil
To enter and when it is slammed shut the imbiber
Discovers Paradise was also shut.

Shortened Quatrain number Four

And when the tongue inserts between the lid and
The lip of the jar still full of wine, knowledge can be
Tasted as if had something to do with her.

Shortened Quatrain number Five

If it weren't for the downward slant of Farsi script
one would think Omar was full of what used to be
inside the jar. He patted himself as if he were clay.

Shortened Quatrain number Six

I grew wings wanting to fly close to the sun
But on account of the size of my wings
The best I did was fly into a flaming candle.