29 Mordad 1405
Quatrain 71 of 75
“And when Thyself with shining Foot shall pass
Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass,
And in thy joyous Errand reach the Spot
Where I made one—turn down an empty Glass!”
Reflection · Summer 1405
The guests star-scattered on the grass in summer are at their most vivid — the summer feast is at its fullest, the gathering most complete. And Khayyam speaks from the future into this present: when you pass here, after me, reach the spot where I made one. Where I was one of the guests, one of the star-scattered, one of the people on the grass who loved the summer feast and the ruby wine.
Turn down an empty glass. In summer this instruction is received by someone who is still fully at the feast. The empty glass is for later. For now: fill yours.