Ithaca - a poem by C.Cavafy

My friend Meenu had put the poem "Ithaca" as her buzz, and it's such an amazing piece of work,that I couldn't resist from putting it on the blog...

"Ithaca" is a poem by "Constantine Cavafy" , a Greek poet.

Ithaca

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,

pray that the road is long,

full of adventure, full of knowledge.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,

the angry Poseidon- do not fear them:

You will never find such as these on your path

if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine

emotion touches your spirit and your body.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,

the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,

if you do not carry them within your soul,

if your heart does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.

That the summer mornings are many, when,

With such pleasure, with such joy

you will encounter ports seen for the first time;

stop at Phoenician markets,

and purchase find merchandise,

mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,

and sensual perfumes of all kinds,

as many sensual perfumes as you can;

visit many Egyptian cities,

to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca 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 many years;

and to anchor at the island when you are old,

rich with all 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 set out on the road.

She has nothing more to give you.

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 Ithacas mean.

--Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933),
(translated by Rae Dalven)

I have a hectic four months ahead of me before I reach my "Ithaca"....(May be by the time I do reach it, or think I have reached it, it might choose to change it's location! ;-) )

Wishing you all a Happy Journey to your "Ithaca"!