TE19 Iberian Adventure

John Hartley

“But his opponents discredited his method,” the attendant lamented, “and his textbook was stripped from the classrooms.” Ambivalent topublicopinionandmisunderstood inhisown time, de Deus published no work nor kept copies of his compositions.

“What remains was compiled by his friends – those his life had touched.”

“The highest form of knowledge is useless.” Later Fernando Pessoa, the indifferent narrator, would romanticise sorrow, as the supreme perspective on human existence.

“Pessoa too was misunderstood in his own time - It’s almost a prerequisite for greatness.” The attended gave a wry smile.

Whereas Pessoa, and toa lesserextent Saramago, weredamned by their introversion, João de Deus was saved by his openness to the world. In his unstudied simplicity and reverent purity tenderness finds its true expression. Messines – themagnanimous backwater town that birthed Portugal’s Byron.

***

Time and space unravel along these dusty backroads, lined with naked cork oaks, their bark peeled away for wine corks.

“They take a great deal of patience - fifty years to mature, to produce usable cork.” Grandfather noted, “But even then, it’s only harvested once a decade.” “I’m parched” Grandad declared, as well pulled into a roadside 182