The Poet: Fernando Pessoa, “I Don’t Know If The Stars Rule The World”

“I Don’t Know If The Stars Rule The World”

“I don’t know if the stars rule the world,

Or if Tarot or playing cards

Can reveal anything.

I don’t know if the rolling of dice

Can lead to any conclusion.

But I also don’t know

If anything is attained

By living the way most people do.

Yes, I don’t know

If I should believe in this daily rising sun

Whose authenticity no one can guarantee me,

Or if it would be better (because better or more convenient)

To believe in some other sun,

One that shines even at night,

Some profound incandescence of things,

Surpassing my understanding.

For now...

(Let’s take it slow)

For now

I have an absolutely secure grip on the stair-rail,

I secure it with my hand –

This rail that doesn’t belong to me

And that I lean on as I ascend...

Yes... I ascend...

I ascend to this:

I don’t know if the stars rule the world.”

- Fernando Pessoa