The Complete Poems of Cavafy: Expanded Edition [Paperback]

of subtle nuance. He sees, knows, analyzes the outward
manifestations, experiences, modes -- and yet at the
same time internally is aware, secretly, of the inner
manifestations, desires, manifestations, and modes.
The critical edge of judgment and decision is when
and in what ways he will actualize the secret internal
desire into the "public" external world. These poems
reflect those attempts and results. However, Cavafy
is also interested in ancient history, and many of
his poems reflect a sort of world-weary love and
appreciation, yet sadness at the passing of the past,
towards the history of ancient Greece and that of
the Hellenistic World which followed in the wake
of the conquests and death of Alexander the Great.
Here is a sample of Cavafy, the poem titled "At the
Cafe Entrance":
Something they said beside me directed
my attention toward the cafe entrance.
And I saw the beautiful body that looked
as if Eros had made it from his consumate experience --
joyfully modeling its symmetrical limbs;
heightening sculpturally its stature;
modeling the face with emotion
and imparting by the touch of his hands
a feeling on the brow, on the eyes, on the lips.
--------------------
-- Robert Kilgore.

It was only in later study, after realizing that my 'secret' poet was actually one of the foremost of modern Greek poets. One who, despite the difficulties in the translation of his poems has had an influence well beyond the barriers of language. Cavafy habitually used to forms of Greek, demotic and purist, to carry out his devices. He writes plainly, with little or no metaphor or simile, but what makes his poems poetry is largely untranslatable. Yet, as one reads through his work in English translation, there are countless moments when something grabs your attention.

W. H. Auden, who wrote the introduction, attributes this to Cafavy's uniqueness, which somehow differentiates him from everyone else at the same time as it creates a connection. I find that reading Cavafy in translation is a bit like having a conversation with someone who has a very interesting way of expressing himself. His subjects are most often his own sensuality and the nature of the human state as a part of the old world of Greek history. But whether he is working within the parameters of his own homosexuality, or pondering the state of Demetrius Soter, Cafavy rarely fails to his home.

If you are looking to expand poetic horizons from an unexpected perspective, or smply enjoy verse that brings you up short and makes you think, there is much here for your reading. You will find Cavafy work easily accessible a valuable addition to the contemplatives library.