My Love, and not I, is the Egoist

Name: My Love, and not I, is the Egoist
Author: Fernando Pessoa

The work explores the complex nature of love and egoism, presenting love as an entity that transcends the individuals involved. The speaker asserts that their love is more self-centered than the love for the beloved, suggesting that love itself possesses an ego that prioritizes its own existence over the individuals it connects. This perspective challenges traditional notions of romantic relationships, positing that love is a separate force that consumes and shapes the lovers. The narrative delves into philosophical inquiries about existence and consciousness, questioning whether individuals are merely transient beings in a greater reality. The imagery of bridges symbolizes connections that are more substantial than the entities they link, emphasizing that love, as a relational force, holds more significance than the lovers themselves. This leads to a contemplation of the nature of reality, suggesting that if love can exist as a powerful force, then perhaps truth can also manifest in ways that challenge conventional understanding. The speaker grapples with the implications of this viewpoint, pondering the essence of being and the possibility that human existence may be defined by relationships rather than individual identity. The work ultimately invites readers to reflect on the paradox of love's self-serving nature and its profound impact on human experience, raising questions about the essence of truth and the nature of consciousness in a world where love reigns supreme.

By Fernando Pessoa · First published 1929 · Genre: Philosophical Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism · 165 words

First lines

My love, and not I, is the egoist.

My love for thee loves itself more than thee; Ay, more than me, in whom it doth exist, And makes me live that it may feed on me.

In the country of bridges the bridge is More real than the shores it doth unsever; So in our world, all of Relation, this Is true -- that truer is Love than either lover.

This thought therefore comes lightly to Doubt's door --

What this Textopian page supports

My Love, and not I, is the Egoist is listed on Textopian as a poem by Fernando Pessoa, dated 1929 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: 1929 CE
Language: English
Genres: Philosophical Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism, Lyric Poetry, Modernism
Length: 165 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Philosophical Poetry — The poem explores deep philosophical themes about love, existence, and consciousness, characteristic of philosophical poetry.
Romanticism — The focus on love and emotional introspection aligns with the themes of Romanticism.
Existentialism — The questioning of existence and the nature of reality reflects existentialist themes.
Lyric Poetry — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts is typical of lyric poetry.