impermanent

Carries a poetic or philosophical weight that "temporary" lacks. While "temporary" often describes a functional arrangement (like a temporary job), "impermanent" suggests an inherent quality of existence—the inevitable flow toward change and decay. Often used in spiritual, artistic, or melancholic contexts to evoke the fragility of life and beauty. It implies a sense of graceful acceptance or tragic loss rather than mere scheduling. Compared to "transient," which emphasizes the act of passing through quickly, "impermanent" focuses on the state of not being eternal.