Our Cavafy

These translations of Constantine P. Cavafy's poetry range from revelatory poems of neglected but vital periods in Greek/Western civilization (including Late Antiquity and the Byzantine Era), to utterly personal-and, yes, heartbreaking-poems of homosexual desire, and by imaginative extension, universal desire.

Unlike other Cavafy translations, these welcome the presence of 'unresolved ironies' to bring more of Cavafy's profound questionings into English, especially his questionings of sex, art, and Greek culture. And each translation is crafted to stand on its own as an American poem. 45 translations, original Greek included.

Constantine Contogenis, poet and translator, was a finalist for 2024 Pablo Neruda Poetry Prize. His poetry chapbook, Between One Thing and Its Other, is forthcoming (Finishing Line Press, 2026). His first collection, Ikaros (Word Press, 2004), won a First Prize "Open Voice Poetry Award," Writer's Voice. Co-translated Songs of the Kisaeng: Courtesan Poetry of Last Korean Dynasty (BOA Editions, 1997). Included in Joining Music with Reason: 34 Poets, British and American: Oxford 2004-2009, chosen by Christopher Ricks (Waywiser, 2011), and Pomegranate Seeds: Anthology of Greek-American Poetry, ed. Dean Kostos (Somerset Hall, 2008). Published by numerous journals and PSA's Poetry in Motion.