Rubai

Rubai is a form of Persian poetry characterized by its quatrain structure. Each rubai consists of four lines, with the rhyme scheme typically AABA. The first, second, and fourth lines rhyme, while the third line is often unrhymed or rhymes with the others in a less strict manner. The content of a rubai can vary widely, but it frequently explores themes of love, wine, existence, and the ephemeral nature of life.

The rubai form gained significant prominence through the work of Omar Khayyam, a 11th-century Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet. His Rubaiyat, a collection of quatrains, has been translated into numerous languages and has had a profound impact on Western literature. While Khayyam is the most famous practitioner, other notable Persian poets, such as Attar of Nishapur and Rumi, also composed works in the rubai form. The conciseness and thematic depth of the rubai make it a powerful vehicle for philosophical and emotional expression.