Cavafy’s poem “Thermopylae” comes to mind as we watch the Ukrainian defenders hold off the Russian hoards attacking Mariupol.
Tag Archives: C.P. Cavafy
Ukraine’s Thermopylae–and Our Own
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Thermopylae", Justice, Mariupol, Ukraine invasion, virtue Comments closed
The Decision to Stay or to Leave
To leave Ukraine or stay in it: these poems grapple with such a dilemma.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Prospective Immigrants Please Note", "Casualty", "City", Adrienne Rich, refugees, Seamus Heaney, Ukraine invasion Comments closed
Sending Students Out into the World
On Saturday at our commencement ceremony, I read C. P. Cavafy’s poem “Ithaka.” It was a great selection for a number of reasons.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "blessing the boats", "Ithaka", commencement, graduation, Lucille Clifton Comments closed
Bold Traveler, Set out for Ithaka (or Paliki)
Historical research suggests that Odysseus’s island may have been Paliki, not Ithaka. Cavafy’s poem “Ithaka” informs us that it doesn’t matter.
