From a prose poem by C. P. Cavafy

In an old trunk or in an ebony chest

I put away the yellow clothes of my childhood,

my favourite yellow clothes.

I put away the blue clothes I wore as a boy,

the blue clothes that boys always wear,

followed by the red clothes of my youth,

the exciting red clothes of a young man,

my going out clothes. Lastly, I put away

the blue clothes again, more faded this time.

I wear black clothes. I live in a black house.

Sometimes at night I open the ebony chest

and gaze with longing at my beautiful clothes.