Constantine P. Cavafy
Constantine P. Cavafy (also known as Konstantin or Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis, or Kavaphes; Greek Κ.Π. Καβάφης) was a major Greek poet who worked as a journalist and civil servant. His consciously individual style earned him a place among the most important figures not only in Greek poetry, but in Western poetry as well. He has been called a skeptic and a neo-pagan. In his poetry he examines critically some aspects of Christianity, patriotism, and homosexuality, though he was not always comfortable with his role as a nonconformist. He published 154 poems; dozens more remained incomplete or in sketch form. His most important poetry was written after his fortieth birthday.
“And if you can’t shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it...”
Constantine P. Cavafy
“Don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,work gone wrong, your plansall proving deceptive — don’t mourn them uselessly.As one long prepared, and graced with courage,say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t sayit was a dream, your ears deceived you:don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.”
Constantine P. Cavafy
“As one long prepared, and graced with courage, as is right for you who were given this kind of city, go firmly to the window and listen with deep emotion, but not with the whining, the pleas of a coward; listen—your final delectation—to the voices, to the exquisite music of that strange procession, and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.”
Constantine P. Cavafy
“Powiedziałeś: "Pojadę do innej ziemi, nad morze inne.Jakieś inne znajdzie się miasto, jakieś lepsze miejsce.Tu już wydany jest wyrok na wszystkie moje dążeniai pogrzebane leży, jak w grobie, moje serce.Niechby się umysł wreszcie podźwignął z odrętwienia.Tu, cokolwiek wzrokiem ogarnę,ruiny mego życia czarnewidzę, gdziem tyle lat przeżył, stracił, roztrwonił".Nowych nie znajdziesz krain ani innego morza.To miasto pójdzie za tobą. Zawsze w tych samych dzielnicachbędziesz krążył. W tych samych domach włosy ci posiwieją.Zawsze trafisz do tego miasta. Będziesz chodził po tych samych ulicach.Nie ma dla ciebie okrętu - nie ufaj próżnym nadziejom - nie ma drogi w inną stronę.Jakeś swoje życie roztrwoniłw tym ciasnym kącie, tak je w całym świecie roztrwoniłeś.”
Constantine P. Cavafy
“And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you. Wise as you have become, with so much experience, you must already have understood what these Ithacas mean.”
Constantine P. Cavafy
“Have Ithaka always in your mind.Your arrival there is what you are destined for.But don't in the least hurry the journey.”
Constantine P. Cavafy
“ΕπιθυμίεςΣαν σώματα ωραία νεκρών που δεν εγέρασανκαι τάκλεισαν, με δάκρυα, σε μαυσωλείο λαμπρό,με ρόδα στο κεφάλι και στα πόδια γιασεμιά --έτσ' η επιθυμίες μοιάζουν που επέρασανχωρίς να εκπληρωθούν· χωρίς ν' αξιωθεί καμιάτης ηδονής μια νύχτα, ή ένα πρωϊ της φεγγερό."Desires"Like beautiful bodies of the dead who had not grown oldand they shut them, with tears, in a brilliant mausoleum,with roses at the head and jasmine at the feet --this is what desires resemble that have passedwithout fulfillment; without any of them having achieveda night of sensual delight, or a morning of brightness.”
Constantine P. Cavafy