Creator: C. P. Cavafy
Κ. Π. Καβάφης
Work Type: Poem
Date: 1899
Description:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem Candles, written in 1899, is a contemplative work that explores the themes of time, memory, and the passage of life. The poem uses the metaphor of candles to represent the days of the past and the future. The burning candles symbolize days that have passed, extinguished and no longer useful, while the unlit candles represent the future, filled with uncertainty and potential.
The poem is structured to reflect the speaker’s introspection and melancholy as they consider the fleeting nature of time. The imagery of the candles creates a poignant contrast between the bright, hopeful light of the future and the dim, extinguished light of the past. This visual metaphor emphasizes the inevitability of time passing and the sense of loss that accompanies it.
Cavafy’s Candles is often praised for its simple yet profound exploration of human existence and the universal experience of watching time slip away. It resonates with readers who reflect on their own lives and the passage of time, making it a timeless piece in Cavafy’s oeuvre.
1. “Candles by C.P. Cavafy,” Onassis Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.onassis.org/initiatives/cavafy-archive/the-canon/candles
2.“Candles by Constantine P. Cavafy,” PoetrySoup. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poem/candles_760
Relationship to Sicilianos's Work:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem Candles and its adaptation in Yorgos Sicilianos’s Six Fantastic Pieces both explore the theme of the passage of time and the resultant feelings of nostalgia and loss. In Candles, Cavafy uses the metaphor of burning candles to represent days gone by and unlit candles to symbolize the uncertain future, creating a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the melancholy it brings. Sicilianos translates this imagery into his orchestral composition, capturing the emotional weight of Cavafy’s poem. The music evokes the same sense of reflection on the past and the anticipation of the future, aligning with Cavafy’s meditation on human existence and the passage of life. This connection underscores the shared exploration of human loneliness and the contemplative nature of both the poem and the musical piece.
See: Sicilianos Archive Files #4 in Six Fantastic Pieces.
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Work Page |
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1 |
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YSC97 |
Six Fantastic Pieces |
after six poems by C. P. Cavafy |
54 |
3333-4331, Harp, Timpani, Celesta, Percussion (Xylophone, Snare Drum, Piccolo Snare, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Tam-Tam), Strings |
4. Candles |