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By C. P. Cavafy Translated by Edmund Keeley  

As you set out for Ithaka 

hope your road is a long one, 

full of adventure, full of discovery. 

Laistrygonians, Cyclops, 

angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them: 

you’ll never find things like that on your way 

as long as you keep your thoughts raised high, 

as long as a rare excitement 

stirs your spirit and your body.

Laistrygonians, Cyclops, wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them 

unless you bring them along inside your soul, 

unless your soul sets them up in front of you.  

Hope your road is a long one. 

May there be many summer mornings when, 

with what pleasure, what joy, 

you enter harbors you’re seeing for the first time; 

may you stop at Phoenician trading stations 

to buy fine things, 

mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, 

sensual perfume of every kind— 

as many sensual perfumes as you can; 

and may you visit many Egyptian cities

to learn and go on learning from their scholars. 

Keep Ithaka always in your mind. 

Arriving there is what you’re destined for. 

But don’t hurry the journey at all. 

Better if it lasts for years, 

so you’re old by the time you reach the island, 

wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way, 

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.  

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey. 

Without her you wouldn't have set out. 

She has nothing left to give you now.  

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you. 

Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, 

you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.  

C. P. Cavafy, "The City" from C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems. Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Translation Copyright © 1975, 1992 by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Reproduced with permission of Princeton University Press.  Source: C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems (Princeton University Press, 1975) 

Text from Songs of Innocence, by William Blake

I. Introduction  

Piping down the valleys wild 

Piping songs of pleasant glee  

On a cloud I saw a child.  

And he laughing said to me.   

Pipe a song about a Lamb;  

So I piped with merry cheer,  

Piper pipe that song again—  

So I piped, he wept to hear.  

Drop thy pipe thy happy pipe  

Sing thy songs of happy cheer,  

So I sung the same again  

While he wept with joy to hear   

Piper sit thee down and write In a book that all may read—  

So he vanish'd from my sight.  

And I pluck'd a hollow reed.   

And I made a rural pen, 

And I stain'd the water clear, 

And I wrote my happy songs 

Every child may joy to hear   

II. The Shepherd  

How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot! 

From the morn to the evening he strays; 

He shall follow his sheep all the day, 

And his tongue shall be filled with praise.  

For he hears the lambs' innocent call, 

And he hears the ewes' tender reply; 

He is watchful while they are in peace, 

For they know when their shepherd is nigh. 

III. The Echoing Green  

The sun does arise, 

And make happy the skies. 

The merry bells ring 

To welcome the Spring. 

The sky-lark and thrush, 

The birds of the bush, 

Sing louder around, 

To the bells’ cheerful sound.  

While our sports shall be seen 

On the Echoing Green.   

Old John, with white hair  

Does laugh away care, 

Sitting under the oak, 

Among the old folk,  

They laugh at our play,  

And soon they all say. 

‘Such, such were the joys.  

When we all girls & boys,  

In our youth-time were seen,  

On the Echoing Green.’   

Till the little ones weary 

No more can be merry 

The sun does descend, 

And our sports have an end:  

Round the laps of their mothers,  

Many sisters and brothers, 

Like birds in their nest, 

Are ready for rest; 

And sport no more seen, 

On the darkening Green.  

Kin to Sorrow 

from Renascence and Other Poems (1917)  

Am I kin to Sorrow,     

That so oft Falls the knocker of my door—     

Neither loud nor soft, 

But as long accustomed,     

Under Sorrow’s hand? 

Marigolds around the step     

And Rosemary stand.     

Then comes Sorrow. 

And what does Sorrow care     

For the Rosemary there,     

Or the marigolds there? 

Am I kin to Sorrow?     

Are we kin? T

hat so oft upon my door—     

Oh, come in!  

First Fig 

from A Few Figs From Thistles (1922)  

My candle burns at both ends;   

It will not last the night; 

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends–   

It gives a lovely light!  

The Dream 

from Renascence and Other Poems (1917)  

Love, if I weep it will not matter,     

And if you laugh I shall not care; 

Foolish am I to think about it,     

But it is good to feel you there. 

Love, in my sleep I dreamed of waking,—     

White and awful the moonlight reached 

Over the floor, and somewhere, somewhere,     

There was a shutter loose,—it screeched! 

Swung in the wind,—and no wind blowing!—     

I was afraid, and turned to you, 

Put out my hand to you for comfort,— 

And you were gone! 

Cold, cold as dew,  

Under my hand the moonlight lay!     

Love, if you laugh I shall not care, 

But if I weep it will not matter,—     

Ah, it is good to feel you there!

Texts are from Facebook posts by those indicated. Used with permission. Spelling, grammar and punctuation have been retained from the original posts.  

Ode To Sephora

Andrea Chinedu Nwoke is feeling Satisfied. Oct 14, 2015 - New York  

I'd like to talk again about Sephora.  It's  just.....it's so...... and all the pretty.....  sample what?.....free who?....it's just....   How is it I am so very, very late to this party??   It deserves an ode. That's right,  I'm going to write an ode to Sephora.  Right after I finish drinking this wine and  trying on this mascara.  mmmmMascara....  

Gift Card

Haley Jane McHardy updated her status. Sept 28, 2016  

Today was a rather productive day. I got  my free Sephora birthday gift, which is a  little sample eyeliner and the fanciest  mini lipstick I've ever seen. Then, using  my gift card (thank you Lorri!), a current  BOGO sale, and birthday coupon, I got  $45 worth of jewelry from Charming  Charlie for $0.23.   Like a boss.  

Feeling Fabulous

Heather Barnes is “Feeling Fabulous” Mar 18, 2016 - Yonkers  

I went to Sephora today and they told  me how to put my makeup on like an  adult and not like a child. And I also  bought real makeup stuff ... y'all better watch out 😎  

Viral 

(author unknown)  

Today me and my girlfriend went into Sephora, I gave the classic sigh followed by a monotone, “whatever you want babe.” After a couple of  minutes looking around, she wanted to compare shades of make up, her being as tan as all get out and me being as pale as a white board, I let her compare shades on my hand, no big deal, just helping out my best friend. As we were walking out a guy also with his girl friend saw my hand and said, “that’s why I stand in the corner bro! Hahaha.” I initially laughed and nodded my head but also noticed his girlfriend did not laugh in the least. It just made me think, why is breaking away from the “bro” stigma such a hard thing for men these days? What about your farting, your obnoxious snoring, when she sits through another game of madden only because you asked her too, all the bull sh-- us men are all capable of they put up  with just because you are her favorite human… I’m not being “anti-man” or preaching like I’m  better than the next but its just a thought. F--- what anybody thinks, that’s your woman, she’d  do anything for you, let her compare her make up on your hand, carry her purse, buy her tampons, do things for her no matter how goofy, annoying, or “not brow” it might be. That’s your best friend, your teammate, who cares what anybody thinks.  

Happy Birthday

Cherisse Williams is with Skittlez Oritz. Feb 23  

Happy 30th Birthday to The One & Only Skittlez Oritz!!!! I wish you many, many, many more years to come. Juan, I am sooOo incredibly proud of the INCREDIBLE, creative fierce person you have grown up to be. Since high school you have never let the world define who  you are and have stayed true to yourself. It seems like yesterday we were in high school at LaG going to Sephora for you to do my makeup or going on excursions around the city. Then came college, where we shared countless makeup/hair sessions, classes lunch/ dinner dates, late night chats, sleepovers when you were student  teaching, and I can go on. To this day I still say that I could NOT have made it  through college without you! People may see you as just a fabulous, over the top, opinionated YouTube sensation but you are so much MORE! I know that people have taken your friendship and your videos for granted but the ones that truly care about you don’t! May this new chapter bring you lots of love, joy, peace, prosperity, and success. Covid may have messed up your extravagant plans but best believe we will celebrate and I can’t wait! I LOVEEE you!!!

Interlude

John Rozzoni is “Looking for Recommendations” May 21, 2014 - Hancock  

Anyone know a good place in NYC to buy stage makeup? Or should I just go to Sephora?  

Aria

Karen Slack Oct 3, 2017  

You know your best friend LOVES you  when she picks up your shade and drops  that #fentybeautyfoundation in the mail  for you because your home #sephora  has been out for weeks! (Bare face/no  makeup but that skin is blessed by my  Momma and Mary Kay)  GO BEST  FRIEND THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND!  Margarita YOU are the #bombdotcom  #fentybeauty #MakeupDiva  #SkinbyMaryKay 

From Mother’s Pen 

Text by Mary Pinkney Hardy MacArthur  

Do you know that your soul is of my soul such a part 

That you seem to be fiber and core of my heart? 

None other can pain me as you, son, can do; 

None other can please me or praise me as you. 

Remember the world will be quick with its blame 

If shadow or shame ever darken your name. 

Like mother like son is saying so true 

The world will judge largely of mother by you. 

Be this then your task, if task it shall be 

To force this proud world to do homage to me. 

Be sure it will say, when its verdict you've won 

She reaps as she sowed: "This man is her son!"  

A Father’s Prayer 

Text by General Douglas MacArthur  

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. 

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee — and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.   

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail …”   

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.  

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously.  

Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.  

Then, I, his father, will dare to whisper, ‘I have not lived in vain.'”    

Lyrics by Daniel Jurman  

Sybil’s Song: "The Mask of Night"

(after Shakespeare)

The mask of night is on my face, 

or you would see the blush that’s on my cheek, 

between us is an endless space, 

and yet when I’m with you my heart must speak, 

I know it seems I’m quickly won, 

but if you love me tell me faithfully, 

the moon’s domain is nearly gone, 

so don’t swear by the night inconstantly, 

If your love is like the sea, 

a boundless, deep, infinity, 

and you find the more you give, 

the more you have, 

the more you live, 

and your soul at last is free, 

then take all of me, 

sweet love, love me. 

I know our love could never be, 

just as this night can’t feel the sun’s embrace, 

but if this world could only see, 

that in your arms my soul has found it place, 

I gave my lonely heart to you, 

before your tender words made your love known, 

and if my heart ever withdrew, 

it would return to you, 

to you, my home. 

For my love is like the sea, 

a boundless, deep, infinity, 

and I find the more I give, 

the more I have, the more I live, 

and my soul at last is free, 

so take all of me, 

sweet love, love me.  

Allen’s Song: “I Feel the Weight”  

I feel the weight of my desire surrounding me, 

Until my heart is caught between my joy and hopelessness. 

I burn for you till nothing’s real and nothing’s true, 

And wonder if there’s anything I wouldn’t do…  

I dream about your touch when I am still awake, 

You are the one, the only person I can not forsake, 

I seek out any fancy that will get me through, 

And wonder if there’s anything I wouldn’t do…  

What I wouldn’t do to prove my love to you, 

What I wouldn’t do… 

There’s nothing I’d forsake, 

No price I wouldn’t pay. 

No pain I wouldn’t go through to have your love.  

No bridge I wouldn’t dross, 

No cross I wouldn’t bear; 

No there is nothing that I wouldn’t d to have your love!  

The power of you invades my soul 

Until all thought has fled 

And I lose control.  

Your slightest glance can ignite my heart anew. 

I feel it now, 

Tell me don’t you feel it too?  

And now the dance 

Can begin again, with you!  

What I wouldn’t do, 

What I wouldn’t do 

To have your love 

No there is nothing that I wouldn’t do.  

There is nothing that I wouldn’t do. 

No there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do 

To have your love. 

Basil’s Song: “You Gave Me Joy”  

You gave me joy,

joy like none I’d ever felt before. 

You embraced my mind and soul,

You made me whole. 

In your eyes I could see the truth of life,

And it was truth that gave me sight to see

What I’d never seen before. 

You became the incarnation of my great unseen. 

I worshipped you like you were some exquisite dream. 

But no one in this world is ever what they seem. 

You were my own.

Mine, an no one else could know.

The only beautify in all my painting was your soul.

In your eyes I could see the truth of love.

And it was love that gave me things to feel

That I'd never felt before.

The world was real and alive

In a way no other eye could see.

And with a love no lover's heart can reveal;

A love that time itself could never fade.

My heart was beating.

Its secret was singing.

It sang so sweetly,

A song of my greatest love!

It sang of love!

A love that only

Lived in my mind.

The beauty that I painted there can live again. 

Let me help you find it, let me be your friend. 

Can’t you be my friend, Dorian? 

Can’t you be my friend - again?  

Duet: “The Moment You Turned”  

The moment you turned 

and I saw the light  

shining in your eyes 

I knew, 

The moment you spoke 

and I heard the music 

playing in your voice 

I knew, 

The moment we touched 

and I felt the fire 

burning in my veins 

I knew, 

No more, 

wondering what might have been, 

No more, 

unforgiving emptiness, 

No more, 

for in you I see a chance, 

to begin begin the dance, 

begin the dance again.  

The moment you turned 

and I saw the light  

shining in your eyes

I knew, 

The moment you spoke 

and I heard the music 

playing in your voice 

I knew, 

The moment we touched 

and I felt the fire 

burning in my veins 

I knew,

No more, 

wondering what might have been 

No more, 

unforgiving emptiness

No more, 

for in you I see a chance, 

to begin to begin the dance, 

to begin the dance again/at last.  

I can be more than what I am  

more than any girl/man can be  

I can be anyone  

I can be anything…  

for in you  

I see a chance  

to begin,  

to begin the dance,  

to begin the dance again/at last with you.