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 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.

Visit hosts of Egyptian cities,

to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.

Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.

To arrive 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.

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.

                                                C.P. Cavafy

(Ithaca was the home of Odysseus, whose journey is described in Homer’s Odyssey.  Cavafy’s poem is one of the great comments on the value of going versus the getting there, the journey of living versus the ultimate destination.)