Του μέλλοντος η μέρες στέκοντ' εμπροστά μας
σα μια σειρά κεράκια αναμένα —
χρυσά, ζεστά, και ζωηρά κεράκια.

Κωνσταντίνος Καβάφης

What a catastrophe; we are made
for ease, & nice times
when change stays away
& unjust fate just passes us by
encouraging me not to succeed
denying me the hindrances
of trivial habits, like breathing,
and small-mindedness, and indifference
on a cold winter's day
i sit here typing with cold fingers
what a bad day to give in,
to let go and just give in,
to small indifferences, fate,
what a horrible day she is having
working in a cold warehouse
she feels like letting go and giving in,
but there are children to support
and rent to pay. I think of Kavafy
in Alexandria, at least he was warm..

What a disaster,
getting dressed in the cold
this morning
dream of beautiful women
flocking, like wild geese,
to travel endlessly
unfixed by hormones, genetics or fear
this unfair luck of ours always
catches me unawares 
i place my granddaughter
in my heart, tenderly,
she is warm there
i accept the recent deaths
without despair
so many things I do not want
or need
for your sole sake i buy ornaments
in praise of the  sophists,
their difficult and priceless blessings
what life will we have without them?