The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy

By Jim Hendrick
Posted: 08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony

by Constantine's P. Cavafy

When suddenly, at midnight, you hear

an invisible procession going by

with exquisite music, voices,

don't mourn your luck that's failing now,

work gone wrong, your plans

all proving deceptive - don't mourn them uselessly;

as one long prepared, and full of courage,

say goodbye to her, to Alexandra, who is leaving

Above all, Don't fool yourself, don't say

It was a dream, your ears deceived you:

don't degrade yourself With empty hopes like these.

As one long prepared, and full of courage,
As is right for you, who were given this kind of city,

go firmly to the windoW

and Listen with deep emotion,

But not with the whining, the pleas of a crowd;

listen - your final pleasure - to the voices,

To the exquisite music of that strange procession,

And say goodbye to her, to Alexandria, you were losing.

😄 Gary Smith read this poem at A Poetry Gathering.
This poem was the inspiration behind Leonard Cohen's song "Alexandra Leaving".