This post was written by Heather Rae. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
As I continue my short hiatus this week, I’d like to reintroduce you to one of my absolute favorite poems. Seriously, this writing inspires me. When I’m feeling a bit lost, am seeking the meaning of it all or am in need of a little encouragement, reading this can change my whole outlook for the day. It reminds me of what this journey called life is all about. (Be sure to check out the video. If you’re not one to get poetry, this reading by Sean Connery will really bring it to life for you.)
What do you think? Does it give you shivers? What do you turn to when you’re in need of inspiration?
As you set out for Ithaka
hope the voyage is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
angry Poseidon – don’t be afraid of them:
you’ll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
wild Poseidon – you won’t encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.
Hope the voyage is a long one.
May there be many a summer morning when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you come into harbors seen for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind –
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars.
Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you are destined for.
But do not hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you are old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you will have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.
Translated by Edmund Keeley/Philip Sherrard
photo credit: * hiro008
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Wow. Thank you for sharing the poem; it’s definitely one that I will add to my “inspiration for adventure” list.
As far as inspiration goes, I often turn to poetry. There’s just something about how concise yet full of meaning and depth good poetry can be. James Wright is one of my favorite poets, mostly for his down-to-earth phrases and tendency to blindside readers with the last line.
Similarly, folk music is a good tool for inspiration– again, very down-to-earth (in my eyes… or ears?), yet laden with emotion.
I’m so glad you liked the poem, Ardith. I’m not too familiar with James Wright’s work, but I’m definitely going to check him out. Thanks for the suggestion!