Meantime by Fernando Pessoa (1925)

Name: Meantime
Author: Fernando Pessoa

The work explores themes of longing, distance, and the ephemeral nature of joy and love. It reflects on the speaker's feelings of separation from an idealized figure, evoking a sense of nostalgia and unattainable beauty. The imagery suggests a world where emotional experiences are disconnected from reality, emphasizing a yearning for a past that is both cherished and lost. The speaker grapples with the idea that true joy and love are inaccessible, existing in a realm beyond pain and fear. The figure described is portrayed as ethereal, with physical attributes that are not striking but possess a deeper significance. The act of her playing with rings symbolizes a detachment from the speaker, reinforcing the theme of unreciprocated affection. Throughout the work, there is a tension between the desire for connection and the recognition of its impossibility. The speaker's reflections are imbued with a sense of melancholy, as they contemplate the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of separation. The notion of time plays a crucial role, suggesting that the speaker's feelings may only be realized in a distant future, beyond the constraints of the present. Ultimately, the work encapsulates a profound sense of yearning for an ideal that remains perpetually out of reach, highlighting the complexities of human emotion and the interplay between memory, desire, and reality.

By Fernando Pessoa · First published 1925 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Symbolism · 147 words

First lines

Far away, far away, Far away from here. There is no worry after joy Or away from fear Far away from here.

Her lips were not very red, Nor her hair quite gold.

Her hands played with rings.

She did not let me hold Her hands playing with gold.

What this Textopian page supports

Meantime is listed on Textopian as a poem by Fernando Pessoa, dated 1925 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Fernando Pessoa
Date: 1925 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Symbolism, Romanticism, Existentialism
Length: 147 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Genres

Lyric Poetry — The work exhibits a strong emphasis on personal emotion and aesthetic expression, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist Poetry — The themes of distance, introspection, and fragmented imagery align with modernist poetic techniques.
Symbolism — The use of symbols to convey deeper meanings and emotions is prevalent throughout the text.
Romanticism — The exploration of individual feelings and the idealization of distant love reflects romantic themes.