Rethink.

C.P. Cavafy, “In the Same Space” Years and years of walking setting streets – I see cafés, houses, dreamed places fade. Built while happy, built while sad – incidents, details, bricks of light and shadow. The wind blows soft. My memory a feeling: city all too real. Comment: I’ve changed a lot from the Keeley/Sherrard …

C.P. Cavafy, “In Church” From silver vessels to the bronze of candle bases, an illumined space with iconic windows of gold – well, I like church. In the Greek church arises the aroma of incense; a chanted liturgy brings mouths to harmony. The priests’ majesty in splendorous vestments dazzles, then gestures set rhythm solemn as …

C.P. Cavafy, “I Went” Let out a long breath – went, went and gnawed, only partially tasting. Thinking, thought I found a light, went to the brilliant night drinking a gallery of wine, toasting a victory savored elsewhere. Comment: I’ve saved a few phrases from the Keeley/Sherrard translation but I haven’t turned this into a …

C.P. Cavafy, “As Much As You Can” You cannot shape your life. I say to do away with too much world, too much business, too much speech. Don’t degrade, dragging life, bringing and boasting it in the intimacy of living rooms or contentious little parties until seen superfluous, begging for attention.

C.P. Cavafy, Come Back Return and return and possess me, beloved feeling – awakening of body’s memory, desire once again infusing blood. I want my lips and skin to remember, hands feel they can touch again. Return and possess me in the time of dreams, when lips and skin remember. Notes: You can compare the …

C.P. Cavafy, “I’ve Looked So Much…” – note below that “falling slightly over pale foreheads” and “figures of love” are directly from the Keeley/Sherrard translation. They’re good lines. Absent realization, I devoted myself to the contemplation of sensual form. Painstaking exclusion of the ugly, the ignoble, the unworthy has made my eyes, my ears, my …

C.P. Cavafy, “Greek from Ancient Times” At first, it seems Antioch permits its pride: buildings holding light of the sky, streets leading to unexpected treasure. Surroundings of a pastoral paradise; Many within the walls busy and bustling. Proud still of pious kings, artists and academics, knowing and wealthy traders. Surpassing all these noble features is …