The poem explores the theme of existence and nothingness through the metaphor of an elephant that never existed. The speaker describes the non-existence of the elephant, emphasizing its absence in various scenarios, from the beginning of time to the present day. The poem's central idea is the impossibility of proving or conceiving of something that does not exist, highlighting the limitations of human understanding and language.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1945 · Genre: Poetry, Fable, Fantasy