Enjoying your Journey of Life(Reflection from the poem Ithika)

I hope that you will find inspiration by reading this good poem by Constantine Cavafy, as you reflect on this, hope you can gain some insights about how you can enjoy life to the fullest.

This poem is about a voyage of self-discovery and any goals or dreams one may have to achieve this. Both “Ithaca” and “The town where time stands still” include the belief that journeys are motivated by a desire to gain profit, achieve pleasure, overcome forces associated with the place, be enlightened or inspired, and to gain positive growth or alteration. In “The town where time stands still” the author speaks about a spiritual type of journey, a transformation that might accompany a physical journey from one place to another, and in the case of the poem “Ithaca”, you become a spiritually enriched person as a reward due to the journey you have undertaken. The message of the poem, that it is not only the destination that is important, it is the journey undertaken along the way that is most significant, and this is conveyed in the poem.

ITHACA: THE POEM

As you set out on your journey to Ithaca,

pray that the road is long,full of adventure, full of knowledge.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,the angry Poseidon --

do not fear them:

You will never find such as these on your path,

if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fineemotion touches your spirit and your body.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,

if you do not carry them within your soul,

if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.

That the summer mornings are many,

when,with such pleasure, with such joy you will enter ports seen for the first time;

stop at Phoenician markets,and purchase fine merchandise,mother-of-pearl and coral,

amber and ebony,and sensual perfumes of all kinds,as many sensual perfumes as you can;

visit many Egyptian cities,to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.

To arrive there is your ultimate goal.

But do not hurry the voyage at all.

It is better to let it last for many years;

and to anchor at the island when you are old,

rich with all 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 have never set out on the road.She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor,

Ithaca has not deceived you.

Wise as you have become, with so much experience,

you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)

The first journey the poet describes is the physical journey. To reach your destination or your goals you must overcome many obstacles and challenges along the way. Although it may not be an easy road, what you learn along the way is invaluable. Imaginative journeys are described by the poet when he mentions imaginary monsters which do not exist. The “Lestrygonians”, “Cyclops” and “Poseidon” are all metaphorical symbols for the challenges and obstacles encountered along the way. In the entire poem the poet is attempting to analyse his inner-self and arrive at self discovery. On the journey described, you become wealthy and knowledgeable and hopefully get to know yourself better. The journey is seen as an analogy for intellectual pursuit and journey of ones soul. The “Egyptian cities” are a place of academic learning, where you may become more knowledgeable and wise through your learning.

The poem is about a journey of self discovery. It tells us that we must overcome all obstacles and challenges in life, such as “Lestrygonians”, “Cyclops” and “Poseidon”, keeping our thoughts noble. Various kinds of enrichment will be found, such as “pleasurable perfumes” and “fine merchandise”, only if the traveller does not impose fears and obstacles within themselves. By visiting “Hosts of Egyptian cities”, one will learn and become a better person. Throughout this long journey, you will become wealthy in a spiritual way. If the journey has been successful, you will come out of it with so many rewards. Rewards that are not measured in a material way, but in the spiritual enrichment you have gained.