Photos On Cavafy | Dimitris Yeros - Δημήτρης Γέρος

ARMAN

SCULPTOR OF TYANA

As you will have heard, I’m no novice.
A good bit of stone passes through my hands.
And in my hometown of Tyana, I’m known
to all; and here too I’ve had many statues
commissioned by senators.

Let me show you
some without more ado. Observe this Rhea;
august, full of forbearance, age-old.
Observe Pompey. Marius,
Aemilius Paulus, Scipio Africanus.
To the best of my ability, faithful likenesses.
Patroclus (I’ve still a few touches to add).
Next to those blocks of yellowy marble
over there, that’s Caesarion.

And for some time now I’ve been busy
working on a Poseidon. I’ve given much thought
to his steeds in particular, how I might fashion them.
They have to be sufficiently light that
their bodies and legs might clearly show them
not treading on the ground, but racing over the waters.

Yet this is by far my favorite work
which I wrought with emotion and utmost care;
this one, on a warm day in summer
when my mind soared toward the ideal,
this one here I envisioned this young Hermes.