There is not the slightest doubt
\nthat things in the Colony don’t go as one would wish,
\nand though we move forward, anyway,
\nperhaps, as not a few think, the time has come
\nfor us to bring in a Political Reformer.<\/p>\n
Yet the obstacle and difficulty
\nis that they make a big deal
\nout of everything, these Reformers.
\n(It would be a stroke of good luck
\nif one never needed them.) Everything,
\nevery little thing, they ask about and examine,
\nand instantly radical reforms come to mind
\nand they demand they be implemented without delay.<\/p>\n
They lean toward sacrifice.
\nGive up that property of yours,
\nyour owning it is risky:
\nsuch possessions are harmful to the Colonies.
\nGive up that income
\nand that coming from it,
\nand this third one, as a natural consequence.
\nThey are essential, but it can’t be helped;
\nThey create an adverse liability for you.<\/p>\n
And as they proceed in their inspection,
\nthey find (then find again) needless things,
\nwhich they demand must go \u2014
\nthings that nevertheless are hard to dismiss.<\/p>\n
And when, with good luck, they finish their work,
\nhaving ordered and pared everything down to the last detail,
\nthey leave, taking away their rightful wages, as well.
\nWe’ll see what remains, after
\nso much expert surgery.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the time had not yet come.
\nLet’s not rush; haste is a dangerous thing.
\nPremature measures bring regret.
\nCertainly and unfortunately, there is much disorder in the Colony.
\nBut is there anything human without imperfection?
\nAnd, anyway, look, we’re moving forward.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A New Translation.Translation by Aliki Barnstone<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Image:\u00a0by\u00a0 julia-geiser.ch<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There is not the slightest doubt that things in the Colony don’t go as one would wish, and though we move forward, anyway, perhaps, as not a few think, the time has come for us to bring in a Political Reformer. 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\nThe Collected Poems of C. P. Cavafy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n