A Cretan once said to me, “When you appear before the heavenly gates and they fail to open, do not take hold of the knocker to knock. Unhitch the musket from your shoulder and fire.”
“Do you actually believe God will be frightened into opening the gates?”
“No, lad, He won’t be frightened. But He’ll open them because He’ll realize you are returning from battle.”
Nikos Kazantzakis, Report to Greco
If a person walks the northern shore of Aegina starting from its western harbor - an island southwest of Piraeus/Athens and facing the Peloponnese - he'll eventually come across a small house to his right by the blue shore; it's made of stone and square looking and holds a flat top. A modern road cuts sharply by the house perimeter to force him watch for incoming traffic. Kazantzakis'house would be that one based on a plaque rendered in the 80's. The metal door is painted sky blue (typical color), and the Tai Chi symbol is plastered on top. The latter must be a modern introduction. Did Kazantzakis know the Tao? I have no idea. He must have been one of these heroic guys. Aegina, home of old Trojan heroes is a good place to learn Homer as it turns out.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which of your posts I like best, but they made me read on; grace is such an essential word. I hear vivid sounds in the posts where you describe home; the ones dealing with Indochina are intensely visual. (My first impressions).
Thanks, -T.
Thanks, Tony. In my youth I tried to read just about everything Kazantzakis wrote. A bit of a Buddhist, Christian, Communist, Taoist, etc. Seemed to find poetry in everything. "Report to Greco" is his effort at an autobiography. Last Temptation of Christ and Zorba the Greek probably his most famous books. His sequel to The Odyssey probably his most important. I envy you for being able to visit his home.
ReplyDeleteOn the last lap with DB&G. Maybe 9 or 10 more and then I'll let it just sit out here. Glad that you like it.
please do; also consider sharing your perspective on Afghanistan at FP (you know where) at selected posts. I will always think of you now when I read Homer. -T.
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