House With Garden (1917)
I wanted to have a home in the country
with a very large garden — not so much
for the flowers, the trees, and the greenery
(certainly there will be that, too; it's so lovely)
but for me to have animals. Ah to have animals!
Seven cats at least — two completely black,
and, for contrast, two as white as snow.
A parrot, quite substantial, so I can listen to him
saying things with emphasis and conviction.
As for dogs, I do believe that three will be enough.
I should like two horses, too (ponies are nice).
And absolutely three or four of those remarkable,
those genial animals, donkeys,
to sit around lazily, to rejoice in their well-being.
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C.P Cavafy
COLLECTED POEMS
translated from the Greek by Daniel Mendelsohn
Knopf, 2009
