Constantine P. Cavafy

Constantine P. Cavafy was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on April 29, 1863, to Greek parents. After his father's death when Cavafy was a child, the family lost their fortune and social position. They lived for seven years in

Walls

by Constantine P. Cavafy (1863–1933)

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16

Without reflection, without mercy, without shame,

they built strong walls and high, and compassed me about.

And here I sit now and consider and despair.

It wears away my heart and brain, this evil fate:

I had outside so many things to terminate.

Oh! why when they were building could I not beware!

But never a sound of building, never an echo came.

Insensibly they drew the world and shut me out.

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