When they are roused

Constantine P. Cavafy 1863 (Alexandria) – 1933 (Alexandria)



Try to guard them, poet
However few they are that can be held.
The visions of your eroticism.
Set them, half hidden, in your phrases.
Try to hold them, poet,
when they are roused in your mind
at night, or in the noon glare.

Original Greek:
Οταν διεγείρο& #957;ται
Προ` 3;πάθησε να τα φυλάξεις, ποιητή,
ό&# 963;ο κι αν είναι λίγα αυτά που σταματιο& #973;νται.
Το 65; ερωτισμο& #973; σου τα οράματα.
&# 914;αλ'τα, μισοκρυμ& #941;να, μες τες φράσεις σου.
Προσ&# 960;άθησε να τα κρατήσει& #962;, ποιητή,
ό&# 964;αν διεγείρο& #957;ται μες το μυαλό σου
την νύχτα ή μες την λάμψι του μεσημερι& #959;ύ.   

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 11, 2023

1:26 min read
74

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXXXAXX XBBBBBBBB
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 1,665
Words 288
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 7, 9

Constantine P. Cavafy

Constantine P. Cavafy was a Greek poet who lived in Alexandria and worked as a journalist and civil servant. He published 154 poems; dozens more remained incomplete or in sketch form. His most important poetry was written after his fortieth birthday. more…

All Constantine P. Cavafy poems | Constantine P. Cavafy Books

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    "When they are roused" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/7285/when-they-are-roused>.

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