ام كلثوم - رباعيات الخيام.

It's been so long since I put anything for Um Kalthoum; so much has been happening. This Thursday night, before tomorrow's horror unfolds in Syria and the rest of the Arab world yet again, I share some beauty from a simpler time.

There is nothing I love more than listening to this woman's music late at night, with the lights off and the window open. Magically, I am transported back home, wherever - and whatever - that is. Listening to Um Kalthoum, I know I can live, love and laugh again. This song is particularly interesting to me, it is the Rubayyat of Umar Khayyam, the famous persian poet, philosopher and sufi. In a nutshell, Um Kalthoum recites some of his words, as translated into Arabic, where he explains his misfortunes and the trials of life that he has failed at so dismally, only to ask for redemption simply because he never worshipped any other but God. As I lie in the dark, listening to these words that were already old when this song was sung, I find I have a lot to reflect upon.