Ithaka~ the poem

Discovering Ithaka~ a journey "home"

In 1911, Greek poet, C.P. Cavafy wrote the intensely beautiful poem, Ithaka. It describes Odysseus' journey back to his island home of Ithaka after the end of the Trojan War. I came upon this poem quite by accident about 20 years ago and immediately it became one of my most favorites. I always kept a copy of it folded in my wallet, which I took out to read from time to time when I needed to remind myself that "life is about the journey, not the destination"...

When Chip and I bought our boat we went through the process of naming her much the same way as you do when you give birth. Knowing that once she's named, it is for always. (It's supposedly bad luck to change the name of a boat)...Being that she is an amazing shade of red, we thought we would give her a name which also described her appearance. Some of the finalists were "Red Shoes"...or "Ruby Slippers"...I am a big Wizard of Oz fan and I thought about Dorothy clicking her heals together, her red shoes getting her home. Then we liked "Pepe Caliente", Hot Pepper, but decided that was a bit too spicey for a trawler going 8 knots. We also considered Red Dawn and even thought a great big "SOLD" painted across the back of her would be clever. Then, one day it hit me...Ithaka. Perfect. The journey, yes! I read the poem to Chip and that was it, right then and there...our boat was Ithaka.

So, for all of you who have asked or wondered, here is the inspiration for naming our boat...

When you start your journey to Ithaka, pray the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Cyclopes or the angry Poseiden.
You will never meet such as these on your path
if your thoughts remain lofty,
if a fine emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet these monsters if you do not carry them in your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.

Then pray that the road is long.
Pray that the summer mornings are many,
that you enter ports seen for the first time with such pleasure,
with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
as many as you can;
visit hosts of cities
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.

Always keep Ithaka fixed in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry your voyage at all.
It is better that it take many years;
even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all you have gained along the way,
not expecting that Ithaka will offer you riches.

It is Ithaka that has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the path.
But she has nothing more to give you.
And if when you return you find her poor,
Ithaka has not defrauded you.
With great wisdom you have gained,
with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithakas mean.

Amen