Ithaca
By Constantine P. Cavafy, as translated from Greek by Stratis Haviaras
As you set out on the way to Ithaca
hope that the road is a long one,
filled with adventures, filled with understanding.
The Laestrygonians and the Cyclopes,
Poseidon in his anger: do not fear them,
you’ll never come across them on your way
as long as your mind stays aloft, and a choice
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Laestrygonians and the Cyclopes,
savage Poseidon; you’ll not encounter them
unless you carry them within your soul,
unless your soul sets them up before you.
Hope that the road is a long one.
Many may the summer mornings be
when—with what pleasure, with what joy—
you first put in to harbors new to your eyes;
may you stop at Phoenician trading posts
and there acquire fine goods:
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and heady perfumes of every kind:
as many heady perfumes as you can.
To many Egyptian cities may you go
so you may learn, and go on learning, from their sages.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind;
to reach her is your destiny.
But do not rush your journey in the least.
Better that it last for many years;
that you drop anchor at the island an old man,
rich with all you’ve gotten on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaca gave to you the beautiful journey;
without her you’d not have set upon the road.
But she has nothing left to give you any more.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca did not deceive you.
As wise as you’ll have become, with so much experience,
you’ll have understood, by then, what these Ithacas mean.
Constantine P. Cavafy (1863-1933), also called Konstantinos P. Kavafis, was a Greek poet who drew inspiration from Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey.
Ithaca is the Greek island that was both the hero Odysseus’ home and destination. His long journey home was met with obstacles—Cyclops, monsters, sirens, witches, and other creatures. It was because of his irreverence to gods that the sea god Poseidon always put obstacles in his way as he was returning at home by sea.
Homer’s story is a reflection of what we humans do—always facing obstacles that we ourselves created.
Between Cavafy and Homer is the knowledge that it is the journey that informs our perspectives and experiences, it makes us richer that any material aspect can.
Cavafy tells us to see life as an adventurous journey in which we learn and discover new things, and face new situations with a childlike attitude.
“The Laestrygonians and the Cyclopes, Poseidon in his anger: do not fear them, you’ll never come across them on your way as long as your mind stays aloft, and a choice emotion touches your spirit and your body.”
When bearing such an outlook, we may be able to kill the Cyclops of everyday life as Odysseus did. “You’ll have understood, by then, what these Ithacas mean.”
