ITHACA
As you set off to Ithaca
wish your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon - don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find them on your way
as long as your thoughts are great,
as long as a rare excitement
touches your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
the wild Poseidon – you’ll never encounter them
unless you carry them inside your soul,
unless your soul bring them up in front of you.
Wish your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
filled with pleasure and joy,
you enter harbours seeing for the first time;
Stop at Phoenician stores
to get the fine articles,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual spices of every kind -
as many sensual spices as you can;
Go to many Egyptian cities
to learn from their scholars.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
Arriving there is your destiny.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for many years,
so you're old by the time you drop your anchor at the island,
rich with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to give you wealth.
Ithaca gave you the nice voyage.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, so full of experience,
you'll have realise by now what an Ithaca means.
K.P.Kavafis
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