He’d become completely degraded. His erotic tendencies,
condemned and strictly forbidden
(but innate for all that) were the cause of it:
society was totally narrow-minded.
He’d gradually lost what little money he had,
then his social standing, then his reputation.
Nearly thirty, he’d never worked a full year-
at least not at a legitimate job.
Sometimes he earned enough to get by
acting the go-between in deals considered shameful.
He ended up the type likely to compromise you thoroughly
if you were seen around with him too often.
But this wasn’t the whole story -that wouldn’t be fair;
the memory of his beauty deserves better.
There is another angle; seen from that
he appears attractive, appears
a simple, genuine child of love,
without hesitation putting
the pure sensuality of his pure flesh
above his honour and reputation.
Above his reputation? But society,
totally narrow-minded, had all its values wrong.
Days of 1896
Did you enjoy the the artible “Days of 1896” from Constantine P. Cavafy on OZOFE.COM? Do you know anyone who could enjoy it as much as you do? If so, don't hesitate to share this post to them and your other beloved ones.
Leave a Reply