#presentiment

“Namely, precognition is not some rare and extraordinary occurrence that only signals us about catastrophes or major upheavals, nor is it a rare talent possessed by just a few among us. Instead, precognitive dreams are common, probably nightly affairs that go almost entirely unnoticed for a number of interesting reasons. Contrary to a common belief, precognitive dreams are seldom ‘numinous’—they don’t announce themselves. And they are also imperfect—they are very rarely video-quality.”

Teller often used to translate into German verses by the Hungarian poet Ady, a great favourite of his. One of these translations, which were never published, seems full of the presentiment of an existence which Teller and other research workers in atomic physics were fated to lead.

Presentiment is that long shadow on the lawn Indicative that suns go down; The notice to the startled grass That darkness is about to pass.

On Beulah's hills she wanders now, On Eden's tranquil plain; To her shall Jane hereafter go, She ne'er shall come to Jane!

"Eppure, per una di quelle intuizioni dell’animo, apparentemente assurde, che magari al momento non ci si bada ma rimangono dentro, per poi ridestarsi a distanza di mesi e di anni, quando il meccanismo del destino scatterà, Antonio ebbe un presentimento: come se quell’incontro avesse importanza nella sua vita, come se il coincidere rapidissimo degli sguardi avesse stabilito fra loro due un legame che non si sarebbe spezzato mai più, a loro stessa insaputa. Già in passato, più di una volta, aveva constatato la incredibile potenza dell’amore, capace di riannodare, con infinita sagacia e pazienza, attraverso vertiginose catene di apparenti casi, due sottilissimi fili che si erano persi nella confusione della vita, da un capo all’altro del mondo."