The First Step

The young poet Eumenes

complained one day to Theocritus

"I have been writing for two years now

and i have done only one idyll.

It is my only published work.

Alas, it is steep, I see it,

the stairway of Poetry is so steep;

and from the first step where now I stand,

poor me, I shall never ascend."

"These words," Theocritus said,

"are unbecoming and blasphemous,

And if you are on the first step,

you ought to be proud and pleased.

Coming as far as this is not little;

what you have achieved is great glory.

For even this first step 

is far distant from the common herd.

To set your foot upon this step

You must rightfully be a citizen

of the city of ideas.

And in that city it is hard

and rare to be naturalized.

In her market place you find Lawmakers

whom no adventure can dupe.

Coming as far as this is not little;

what you have achieved is great glory."

                       -C.P.Cavafy