Poetica
Antonio Carlos Jobim & Tom Jobim Lyrics
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De dia tardo
De tarde amanheço
De noite ardo.
A oeste a morte
Contra quem vivo
Do sul cativo
s que contem
Passo por passo:
Eu morro ontem
Nasço amanhã
Ando onde há espaço:
Meu tempo é quando.
The lyrics of Antonio Carlos Jobim & Tom Jobim's song Poetica are an evocative and profound reflection on the transience of life and the fluid nature of time. The first two lines, "De manhã escureço/De dia tardo" ("I grow dark in the morning/I am slow during the day"), suggest a sense of weariness or melancholy, as though the singer is struggling to keep up with the demands of life. This is further reinforced by the next two lines, "De tarde amanheço/De noite ardo" ("In the afternoon I dawn/At night I burn"), which suggest a cyclical pattern of renewal and exhaustion.
The next two lines, "A oeste a morte/Contra quem vivo" ("To the west is death/Against whom I live"), introduce a theme of mortality and the fragility of life. This is juxtaposed with the line "Do sul cativo/O este é meu norte" ("Captive to the south/The east is my north"), which suggests a sense of direction or purpose amidst the uncertainty of life. The final three lines, "s que contem/Passo por passo:/Eu morro ontem/Nasço amanhã/Ando onde há espaço:/Meu tempo é quando" ("Only those who contain/Step by step/I die yesterday/I am born tomorrow/I walk where there is space/My time is whenever"), encapsulate the poem's main message about the paradoxical nature of time and the impermanence of life.
Line by Line Meaning
De manhã escureço
In the morning, darkness falls upon me, signifying the hardships I face.
De dia tardo
During the day, time passes slowly, making it difficult to accomplish tasks and progress forward.
De tarde amanheço
In the afternoon, I begin to see the first signs of a new day, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.
De noite ardo.
At night, I burn with passion and drive to achieve my goals, despite the obstacles in my path.
A oeste a morte
To the west lies death, reminding me of the finite nature of life and urging me to make the most of my time on this earth.
Contra quem vivo
I live against this inevitability, striving to make a positive impact in the world and leave a lasting legacy.
Do sul cativo
From the south, I am bound by circumstances and limitations, but I refuse to let them hold me back and remain determined to break free.
O este é meu norte.
The east is my north, as I navigate towards the direction of progress and growth in all aspects of my life.
Passo por passo:
Step by step, I move forward, focusing on the present moment and the actions I can take to achieve my goals.
Eu morro ontem
Yesterday, I died to the past, leaving behind regrets and mistakes, and choosing to learn from them to become a better person today.
Nasço amanhã
Tomorrow, I am born anew, full of hope and potential, ready to seize the day and make the most of every opportunity.
Ando onde há espaço:
I walk where there is space, moving beyond my comfort zone and embracing new experiences and challenges to grow as a person.
Meu tempo é quando.
My time is now, and I make each moment count, living in the present and enjoying the journey towards my future goals.
Contributed by Isaac D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.