[BNP/E3, 16A – 26]

p. 589 [841]

     If that apparent part of life’s delight

Our natural flesh-sense circumscribes, were seen

By aught save reflex and co-carnal sight,

Joy, flesh and life might prove but a gross screen.

     Haply Truth’s body is no eyeable being,

Appearance even as appearance lies;

Haply our close, dark, vague, warm sense of seeing

Is the choked vision of blindfolded eyes.

     Wherefrom what comes to our thought[1] of life? Nought.

All is either the irrational world we see

Or some aught-else whose being-unknown doth rot

Its use for our thought’s use. Whence taketh me 

     A qualm like ache of life, a body-deep

     Soul-hate of what we seek and what we weep.

June 1912.

Fernando Pessôa.

 
[1] our thought /thought’s sense\