What do you think of this wistful poem by Cafavy?

-Constantine P. Cafavy, modern Greek poet. Words so simple but they capture moods perfectly.



Since Nine O'Clock









Half past twelve. Time's gone by quickly

since nine o'clock when I lit the lamp

and sat down here. I've been sitting without reading,

without speaking. Completely alone in the house,

who could I talk to?



Since nine o'clock when I lit the lamp

the shade of my young body

has been haunting me, reminding me

of shut scented rooms,

of past passion - what daring passion.

And it's also brought back to me

streets now unrecognizable,

bustling night clubs now closed,

theatres and cafes no longer there.





The shade of my young body

also brought back the things that make us sad:

family grief, separations,

the feelings of my own people,

of the dead so little recognized.





Half past twelve: how the time has gone by.

Half past twelve: how the years have gone by.



Constantine P. CavafyI will have to read more .