C.P. Cavafy : 'Dangerous Thoughts'
Said Myrtias (a Syrian student
in Alexandria during the reign
of the Emperor Konstans and the Emperor Konstantios;
in part a heathen, in part christianized):
"Strengthened by meditation and study,
I won't fear my passions like a coward;
I'll give my body to sensual pleasures,
to enjoyments I've dreamed of,
to the most audacious erotic desires,
to the lascivious impulses of my blood,
without being at all afraid, because when I wish -
and I'll have the will-power, strengthened
as I shall be by meditation and study -
when I wish, at critical moments I'll recover
my ascetic spirit as it was before. "
(Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard)
Below: portrait of Cavafy by Panagiotis Gravallos
Monday, June 08, 2009
Recurring Poem #6
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Very insightful piece!
ReplyDeleteI won't fear my passions like a coward because I know that I'll recover my ascetic spirit as it was before...
or
I won't fear my passions like a coward because I know that they are part of my ascetic spirit as it is.
?
This has been on my mind recently, thanks for posting this. Peace.
Hey, thanks for dropping by - it's good to hear from you. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, these questions are perennially on my mind. Craving is the root of unhappiness, etc. If my book ever sees the light of day, it will be titled 'How to be Hungry' and subtitled 'Poems on desire, etc.'