Belle W. Y. Wei: A favorite poem

The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

In my daily work and life, I often think of these four lines by Omar Khayyám, a 12^th century Persian poet and mathematician. In particular I am drawn to the image of spring rain. It refreshes; it nurtures life; it sprouts green; it nourishes everyone, rich or poor; it softens the harsh edges of the world. But when I leave this world, I go like the wind without a trace. My existence is transient, ephemeral, without source and without destination, being part of nature.

Belle W. Y. Wei
Don Beall Dean of Engineering
Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering
San José State University

from The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow,

And with mine own hand wrought to make it grow;

And this was all the Harvest I reaped-

“I came like Water, and like Wind I go.”