Τείχη
Χωρίς περίσκεψιν, χωρίς λύπην, χωρίς αιδώ
μεγάλα κ’ υψηλά τριγύρω μου έκτισαν τείχη.
Και κάθομαι και απελπίζομαι τώρα εδώ.
Αλλο δεν σκέπτομαι: τον νουν μου τρώγει αυτή η τύχη·
διότι πράγματα πολλά έξω να κάμω είχον.
Α όταν έκτιζαν τα τείχη πώς να μην προσέξω.
Αλλά δεν άκουσα ποτέ κρότον κτιστών ή ήχον.
Ανεπαισθήτως μ’ έκλεισαν από τον κόσμον έξω.
– Κωνσταντίνος Π. Καβάφης (1896)
I only ever studied Demotic Greek (i.e. post-classical, sometimes thought of Biblical). This poem is modern Greek and I didn’t even make an effort to understand it – I can figure out maybe 10% of the vocabulary (mostly function words as opposed to substantive), but at that, it might still be better than my atrocious ability in Korean.
I found the poem with English translation here.
Walls
Without consideration, without pity, without shame
they have built great and high walls around me.
And now I sit here and despair.
I think of nothing else: this fate gnaws at my mind;
for I had many things to do outside.
Ah why did I not pay attention when they were building the walls.
But I never heard any noise or sound of builders.
Imperceptibly they shut me from the outside world.
– Constantine P. Cavafy (1896)