Twenty poems from Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa, born in Lisbon on June 13, 1888, was a renowned Portuguese poet, philosopher, playwright, essayist, translator, and literary critic. He was also active as an astrologer, inventor, businessman, and political commentator. Educated in South Africa at an Irish Catholic school in Durban, he became proficient in English, often preferring it over Portuguese in his early writings.

Pessoa’s life was marked by several personal tragedies, including the early deaths of his father and brother, leading to subsequent financial difficulties. These events, coupled with his exposure to English literature, profoundly shaped his creative direction.

He is particularly celebrated for writing under various heteronyms – distinct poetic identities – such as Ricardo Reis, Álvaro de Campos, and Alberto Caeiro. These alter-egos, each embodying unique literary styles and philosophies, allowed Pessoa to explore diverse facets of thought and creativity. His innovative approach to poetry under these heteronyms paralleled other modernists who employed multiple literary personas.

Pessoa returned to Portugal permanently in 1905, becoming a pivotal figure in the modernist movement. This was evidenced by his involvement in the literary magazine “Orpheu.” His most celebrated work in his native Portuguese, published during his lifetime, was the collection of 44 poems entitled “Mensagem” - contemplating the ancient grandeur of Portugal.

He died in Lisbon on November 30, 1935, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to be a subject of extensive study and admiration. Discovered largely posthumously, Pessoa’s writings have cemented his legacy as a figure of complex intellectual exploration, making his work a cornerstone of Portuguese literature.

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