Category Archives: Poetry

Speaker Invitation

For the love of Greece!

My Taste of Greece Dinners have enjoyed some amazing speakers sharing their knowledge in a relaxed long-table symposium style event where discussion happens over amazing Greek food and superb Greek wine.

Topics have included the Mediterranean Diet, Blue Zones, and Body Beautiful, and future topics will include Life and Death, The Idea of Love, and The Joy of Food.

If you have a topic that that you wish to propose, be it art, drama, lifestyle, wellness, food, psychology and health, then I’d like to hear from you, as I’m now planning for 2017 with a view to take the Taste of Greece dinner events to other Australian cities.

I embrace diversity and am supportive of finding the ‘right’ person to join me as a speaker and thereby fostering a working environment that is both productive and inclusive.

Message me here with your idea and contact details.

 

Ithaka

I’m feeling inspired by Homer’s classic story The Voyage of Odysseus, and recalled this famous poem titled Ithaka by Constantine P. Cavafy that was penned in 1911.

As mere mortals, we all experience obstacles and challenges in our lifetime that can seem comparable to Odysseus’ quest to return home to Ithaka.

But what does this mean? Ithaka is symbolic of a long journey representing an inner quest of self-discovery, and reminds us it is not the destination that matters; but the journey.

The question remains..  do we have enough strength, focus and determination to achieve our goals and endure life’s obstacles and difficulties as they arise, thereby becoming more wise and knowledgeable regardless of what our destination is; our own personal version of Ithaka?

I hope that you enjoy this poem!!

Ithaka
As you set out for Ithaka
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon — do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Enjoy!
GL xx