To all the women making "the voyage"
May1st is Labour day for many countries, Italy included.
We celebrate a day dedicated to women who were killed while doing their work. But many people have forgotten the origin of this celebration.
Many people do not consider how many jobs a woman does, in the course of her life, and how often she does not get any reward!
So here is to you, sisters and friends, a poem I used to take leave from my students (mostly girls) after 5 years together.
Hope you enjoy reading it!
Ithaca
When you start on your journey to Ithaca,
then pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.
Then pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first time
with such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,
and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.
Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
-K. P. Kavafis (C. P. Cavafy), translation by Rae Dalven
Recent Comments
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What a coincidence! Having a hangout with my Eurofriends tomorrow to share this poem, recited by Sir Sean Connery with music composed by Vangelis.
http://youtu.be/1n3n2Ox4Yfk
We can only hope the labors of women will be globally recognized equally to men in our lifetime. ^_~
Like the poem and you are SO SO right about the many, many jobs women do that not only go unrewarded but unnoticed. Thank you for spotlighting women.
Nice quote. I'm always learning something new from you. I couldn't afford to travel that much, so I always enjoy learning something about other countries. That's the way we should look at it, we are on a learning journey.
And you too! I think you will enjoy this free book - you may share it as you wish!
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/trialynn/blog/the-little-book-of-contentment-free-download
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Great post and great poem. Thanks for sharing.
Dawn