Os Ombros Suportam o Mundo

Carlos Drummond de Andrade's poem "Os Ombros Suportam o Mundo" delves into the existential weight of human experience, capturing a moment of profound disillusionment and stoic acceptance. The opening lines set the tone, indicating a time when traditional expressions of faith and love have lost their meaning. The speaker suggests that these once-powerful sentiments have become futile, and the emotional responses they once elicited—tears, affection—are now replaced by a dry, mechanical existence. This shift reflects a deeper sense of emotional and spiritual exhaustion, where even the heart has become desiccated.

The poem continues to explore themes of isolation and self-reliance. The speaker describes a state of solitude so profound that even the light has gone out, yet in this darkness, their eyes shine with certainty. This paradoxical image suggests a clarity that comes from within, a self-assuredness that no longer depends on external validation or support. The speaker has reached a point where suffering is no longer a part of their experience, and they expect nothing from others. This stoic detachment is both a shield and a burden, as it isolates the individual from the communal aspects of human life.

In the final stanza, Drummond de Andrade addresses the inevitability of aging and the ongoing struggles of the world—wars, famines, and conflicts. Yet, these global issues are portrayed as mere continuations of life, not as cataclysmic events. The speaker's shoulders bear the weight of the world, but it is a weight that feels as light as a child's hand. This metaphor underscores a profound acceptance of life's hardships, suggesting that the true burden lies not in the events themselves but in our perception of them. The poem concludes with a powerful assertion that life, in its raw, unembellished form, is an order to be followed, devoid of illusions or mystifications.