Tie your heart at night to mine, love,
and both will defeat the darkness
like twin drums beating in the forest
against the heavy wall of wet leaves.
Night crossing: black coal of dream
that cuts the thread of earthly orbs
with the punctuality of a headlong train
that pulls cold stone and shadow endlessly.
Love, because of it, tie me to a purer movement,
to the grip on life that beats in your breast,
with the wings of a submerged swan,
So that our dream might reply
to the sky's questioning stars
with one key, one door closed to shadow.
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Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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Just beautiful and evocative
Right there in the first stanza the poet lets you stumble into the wild, pulsating world of deep dreams and nightmares blended into one. Our lonelisness as human beings is like that pitch darkness of that forest. It is at night that our dreams.Nights mark time as one day ends and another will begin. Love is the only 'reply' to the witnessing stars, it is the 'key' that keeps night away. All I can say is beautiful, beautiful and beautiful.
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He was such a good poet!
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I question why this is put under the category of 'angst'.
It seems just the opposite to me... courage, perhaps? -
I assume Neruda didn't write this in English, so he's not fully responsible for what's presented here. Who is the translator?
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what a lovely way to put it...
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why was this poem written ?
Why is any poem written?
There does not need to be a reason, The poet writes from experiences, from life, death, sadness and joy. From love of his family, the world, nature, love, from his wishes, hopes and dreams. Plans for the future, memories from the past and what he hopes to be, for lost love and regret. The poet writes from the heart - there doesn't need to be a reason or an explanation - it just is! Thank Goodness for it too.
Von - Oldpoetry Team
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Pablo
From guest christina (contact)
I love him..although I hate to cite the commonly known works, I just can't help but...this poem like so many is along the lines of amazing feeling and expression for those in love or those that want to be in love. His possibly most famous and amazing for lovers has to be Sonnet XVII. There has never ever been any one poem that has moved me as much as this one. It can still bring tears to my eyes. -
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A very moving poem
From guest James Holdaway (contact)
The author has captured the mood and painted a very graphic picture with the words -
Left me breathless with words...
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gawd. His poems are amazing.
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From guest Rosemary (contact)
A first read of this noted poets' write on love is like a breath of fresh air with his powerful and gentle metaphors that give flight as a bird flying high on the wings of love! Awesome,
penning!
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From guest poetryality (contact)
Neruda is an exceptional poet. This poem emploded with emotions. I love the metaphors used here. THis is truly about relationships. Excellent! Renee
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In this translation, the imagery comes through with impact and thoughtfulness, the depth of feelings described here moves the reader to consider the meaning of emotions, the connection between two people that seems endless and timeless; such amazing beauty in these words...PK
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its just so beautiful.. it shows me how amateur of a poet i am.
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Master poet!
Well, I've just typed a comment - spilled my heart about the beauty of this poem and the talent of Neruda...and now my comment doesn't show, lol. Anyway, this is how poetry, and especially love poetry, should be written! Yes, his metaphors are unique and rich and no one can write like this man! -
Master poet!
This is the way Neruda wrote his "sonnets" and I love the freedom that he brings into poetry. Of course his metaphors and images are just oustanding and so unique. This poem is the true Neruda. I agree that he has the most wonderful ability to take simple, familiar things and present them in the most unique and creative way - he is the one poet that makes me want to say "why didn't I think of that" - but then, there is only one Neruda. I love his love poetry and everytime I read one of his poem, I learn. -
Its real, love is real, poetry is real, everything he wrote was real. His realism lets you place actual objects in your own fantasy world.
This poem was a testament to love, and to wanting. Wanting another heart to feel what what you see. The imagery in this poem was perfect; it showed why he needed a heart to tie to his, and why everyone should find a heart to tie to theirs and expearience night.
This poem is what we aim for when you try to write a picture and persuade a soul. -
i dont think its overdone at all. i think how he says what he says is beautiful. he's an amazing writer. i love his description. I like the feeling I get from it-not only emotion, but his words paint pictures that you can almost touch.
~rora -
This one is too overdone. If I read this on someone's site, I would think it's schmaltzy.
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