Our Cavafy (Paperback)

Constantine Contogenis

ISBN 13: 9798899905483

Published by Finishing Line Press, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. 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. Utterly personal poems of homosexual desire and revelatory poems of vital but neglected periods in Greek/Western civilization. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9798899905483

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Our Cavafy (Paperback)
• Publisher: Finishing Line Press
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798899905483
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

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.