by Hal Manogue
Constantine Cavafy was born in 1863 and is considered one of the Mediterranean's greatest poets. He was born in Alexandria, and lived there most of his 70 years. I found one of his most well known works again this morning and wanted to share it.
"Ithaca" was written in 1911, and describes the value of appreciating our journey, rather than always rushing for the destination. It describes living in the now, and what it means to have no fear, for our thoughts create our daily monsters. It explains that it can be filled with happiness and abundance, if we believe it is, and it can be as long or as short as we make it, our prayers lead the way.
We all are on the road to Ithaca, how and when we get there is our choice. Cavafy describes the path to awareness and what it means to travel the road of discovery within ourselves. It is a work that is timeless, priceless and real. I'll meet you there!
Ithaca
When you start on your journey to Ithaca, then pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge, Do not fear the Lestrygonians and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon. You will never meet such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion touches your body and spirit. You will never meet the Lestrygonians, the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon, if you do not carry them within your soul, if your soul does not raise them up before you. Then pray that the road is long. That the summer mornings are many, that you will enter ports seen for the first time with such pleasure, with such joy! Stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise, mother of pearl and corals, amber and ebony, and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds, visit hosts of Egyptian cities, to learn from those who have knowledge. Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind. To arrive there is your ultimate goal. But do not hurry the voyage at all. It is better to let it last for long years; and even to anchor at the isle when you are old, rich with all that you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches. Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would never have taken the road. But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you. With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience, you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
Constantine Cavafy was born in 1863 and is considered one of the Mediterranean's greatest poets. He was born in Alexandria, and lived there most of his 70 years. I found one of his most well known works again this morning and wanted to share it.
"Ithaca" was written in 1911, and describes the value of appreciating our journey, rather than always rushing for the destination. It describes living in the now, and what it means to have no fear, for our thoughts create our daily monsters. It explains that it can be filled with happiness and abundance, if we believe it is, and it can be as long or as short as we make it, our prayers lead the way.
We all are on the road to Ithaca, how and when we get there is our choice. Cavafy describes the path to awareness and what it means to travel the road of discovery within ourselves. It is a work that is timeless, priceless and real. I'll meet you there!
Ithaca
When you start on your journey to Ithaca, then pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge, Do not fear the Lestrygonians and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon. You will never meet such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion touches your body and spirit. You will never meet the Lestrygonians, the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon, if you do not carry them within your soul, if your soul does not raise them up before you. Then pray that the road is long. That the summer mornings are many, that you will enter ports seen for the first time with such pleasure, with such joy! Stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise, mother of pearl and corals, amber and ebony, and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds, visit hosts of Egyptian cities, to learn from those who have knowledge. Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind. To arrive there is your ultimate goal. But do not hurry the voyage at all. It is better to let it last for long years; and even to anchor at the isle when you are old, rich with all that you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches. Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would never have taken the road. But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you. With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience, you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
No comments:
Post a Comment