vernal equinox 2010: greek poet c.p. cavafy wrote compelling, daring, sensuous poetry during his lifetime-he died on april 29th (my birthday!) 1933 and left an indelible mark on queer artistic consciousness. to celebrate the warm regeneration of spring, i am sharing a verse from his poem, "dangerous," which is set in alexandria circa the 4th century a.d. . . . a transgressive poet of the sublime--he writes:
"my body i will give to pleasures,
to diversions that i've dreamed of,
to the most daring erotic desires,
to the lustful impulses of my blood, without
any fear at all."--cavafy
next time
next time what i'd do is look at
the earth before saying anything. i'd stop
just before going into a house
and be an emperor for a minute
and listen better to the wind
or to the air being still.
when anyone talked to me, whether
blame or praise or just passing time,
i'd watch the face, how the mouth
has to work, and see any strain, any
sign of what lifted the voice.
and for all, i'd know more -- the earth
bracing itself and soaring, the air
finding every leaf and feather over
forest and water, and for every person
the body glowing inside the clothes
like a light.
--mary oliver
