Che fece il gran rifiuto Constantine Cavafy

Σέ µερικούς ανθρώπους έρχεται µια μέρα

πού πρέπει τό µεγάλο Ναι ή τό µεγάλο τό ‘Όχι

να πούνε. Φανερώνεται αµέσως όποιος τόχει

έτοιµο µέσα του τό Ναί, και λέγοντάς το πέρα



πηγαίνει στην τιµή και στην πεποίθησί του.

Ό άρνηθεΙς δέν µετανοιώνει. Άν ρωτιοιυνταν πάλι,

όχι Θα ξαναέλεγε. Κι όµως τον καταβάλλει

έκεϊνο τ’ όχι – το σωστό -εις όλην την ζωή του.



To some people a day comes

When they have to say the great yes or the great no

It becomes immediately obvious who has

Ready within them yes and when they say it

They go on with their lives, honourably and with conviction



The refusers do not regret their refusal

If they were asked again, again they would say no

However, that no - the correct no –

Pursues them for the rest of their lives.

Translation
Luke Prodromou

[nickmichelioudakis]

This was one of my father's favourite poems.... 😞