Ithaca和Constantine P. Cavafy

Entrance to Cavafy's former apartment in Alexandria


When you set sail for Ithaca,
wish for the road to be long,
full of adventures, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
an angry Poseidon -- do not fear.
You will never find such on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, and your spirit
and body are touched by a fine emotion.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
a savage Poseidon you will not encounter,
if you do not carry them within your spirit,
if your spirit does not place them before you.
Wish for the road to be long.
Many the summer mornings to be which with
pleasure, with joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase the fine goods,
nacre and coral, amber and ebony,
and exquisite perfumes of all sorts,
the most delicate fragances you can find,
to many Egyptian cities you must go,
to learn and learn from the cultivated.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your final destination.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better for it to last many years,
and when old to rest in the island,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to offer you wealth.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful journey.
Without her you would not have set out on the road.
Nothing more has she got to give you.
And if you find her threadbare, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Cavafy是我最喜欢的诗人。我喜欢他的简单，朴素却极其性感（sensuality and eroticism)的句子。我写文章时有时还是很华美，可我的诗却干净，简洁的挂不住一滴油水。这是一个安静，内敛的人，有很多激情，却又非常压抑。

埃及帅哥回亚历山大之前，问我要什么。我说，去他的博物馆给我照张像吧。他的apt改建成他的博物馆，就像我想象的那样，不起眼的老楼，谨慎地活着，白天带着面具，只有在夜晚，才把心交给纸和笔，在字里爱着，情人们只活在他的诗里。。。