Constantine P. Cavafy

29 April 1863 – 29 April 1933 / Alexandria

Outside the House

Walking yesterday in an outlying neighbourhood,
I went by the house
I used to go to when I was very young.
There Eros with his wonderful power
laid hold of my body.

And yesterday
when I walked down the old road,
shops, pavement, stones,
walls and balconies and windows-
all were suddenly made beautiful by the spell of love:
there was nothing ugly left there.

And as I stood staring at the door,
stood lingering outside the house,
my whole being radiated
the sensual passion stored up inside me
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