Dear Fallible,

One does not have to wander far away from Omar to get one's fill of metaphors of life, death, and ( maybe not rebirth), but love...

The Rubaiyat

-FitzGerald, Fifth Edition, Quatrain 100 and 101

Yon rising Moon that looks for us again--
How oft hereafter will she wax and wane;
How oft hereafter rising look for us
Through this same Garden--and for one - in vain!

And when like her, oh Saki, you shall pass
Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass,
And in your joyous errand reach the spot
Where I made One--turn down an empty Glass!
TAMAM.