Omar Khayyam (93)

Juan Cole 04/10/2012

I am a sinner,
where is your acceptance?
My heart is dark,
where is your light
and clarity?
If you grant me paradise
because of my obedience,
that is just a salary.
Where is your grace
and charity?

Translated by Juan Cole
from [pdf] Whinfield 93

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History 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