In Chapter 23, Poem 22 of the Mokhtar Nameh, Attar of Nishapur explores the profound anguish of a soul confronting the end of life with deep regret over a wasted spiritual existence.

Key Themes:

• Accumulated Suffering: The poet laments the constant burdens (timar and bar) borne throughout life, framing earthly existence as an ongoing cycle of affliction.
• The Regret of a Fruitless Life: The core of the poem is the sorrow of realizing that life ('omr) has passed without performing any worthy spiritual deeds.
• The Finality of the Last Breath: The poem culminates in the recognition that death is sudden and absolute, symbolized by the breath catching once and for all, leaving no further opportunity for action.