This poetry collection is basically greek mythology, nostalgia and sex in pretty words. Loved it.

C.P. Cavafy is a very well known poet, and one whose work has been translated into several languages. The poems span a range of his work with three thematic categories: historical, philosophical, and sensual. This is the first time I've ever read any of his work. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it became clear pretty soon after reading it that my knowledge of Greek history is not quite up to par - the context behind several poems, and the metaphors, are lost to me. I think I might need to do some research before I attempt a re-read. That being said, there's some lovely poems in here, and I wouldn't mind looking up more of his work.

One of my favourites was "Ithaca" (potentially because I understood the references within:

"You'll never encounter raging Poseidon, / Laestrygonians and Cyclopes, / unless you bear them in your soul, / unless your soul sets them before you"

Ionic as well, a much shorter poem but one that seemed so wistful:

"When an August morn dawns upon you / your air is filled with vigor from their lives; / and at times an ethereal adolescent figure / indistinct with swift stride, / passes over your hills."

The miserable Lares, near-fainting now,
huddle in the corner of the shrine,
jostling and stumbling over each other,
one little god falling over the next,
for they knew what sort of noise it was;
they recognize, by now, the footsteps of the Furies.

I've only read one of his poems- I happened to hear it by chance on the radio, but it has inspired me to find more. 'The god abandons Antony' was really very beautiful- definitely a poem for you if you are not looking forward to saying goodbye to something, some time, or somebody. I'll write more when I've read the rest, but I'm very pleased to have tripped over this particular poet.