Old poem, powerful words.

The except below, from the allegorical poem Ithaca, was shared with me several years ago. Despite being a translation from the Greek original, it still holds breathtaking beauty and overwhelming power. I can't help but become very emotional every time I read it. I think many of you here at EC, particularly in the "Later Life" forum, will find it moving too.

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When 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
and the angry Poseidon, do not fear of them.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty,
if a fine emotion touches your body and your spirit.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops
and the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise 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 corals, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca fixed 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 that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without Ithaca you would have never set out on the road.