And it was at that age… Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don't know, I don't know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don't know how or when,
no they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was summoned,
from the branches of night,
abruptly from the others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.
I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names,
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire,
and I wrote the first faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating plantations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.
And I, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.
Notes
From: ‘Memorial de Isla Negra’
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How well he describes his definition of what 'Poetry' means to him.
This is another 'movies' poem. The Italian film 'Il Postino' features this as Neruda was a central character.
Von -
From guest Dee Garner/catz (contact)
I've heard of Pablo Neruda refered so many times but this is the first poem of his I've ever read. I am beginning to see what the commotion is about. Just judging from this one piece, I can see the genious behind the pen. This is indeed an inspiring poem, written of the inspiration of a great poet. -
WOW!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!
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wow this is really neat
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And to think he felt opened to a brand new world.. Imagine how many of us Poets he has inspired..
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Nobody could have said this better than Pablo Neruda himself ... Such utter seamlessness of though. Singing a note with clarity and with preciseness: such is writing poetry.
Myra -
My motivation to learn Spanish was Pablo Neruda and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I hope to read their works in their lengua one day. What inspires one to write? It is difficult to point out one thing and say that this is it. Reading this beautiful poem could be an inspiration to set forth on a exploration of one's need to express oneself.
Krishna -
One of my favorite things about Pablo Neruda's poetry is the way he arranges his poems. He seems to have no qualms or pre-set prejudice about the lengths lines 'should' or 'should not' be, and instead he seems to focus only on adding the right emphasis to his way of thought. I really like the idea of trying to search and discover where poetry first brought itself to someone, that first touch of the muse. Neruda's form of expression leaves me pondering my own poetry's history, and wanting to know more about his.
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wonderful! true!
i clung to the stem
of an orchid with thorns
i traversed the market
of fragile hearts
i seduced imaginary lovers
with silver dreams of love
i hermaphrodited myself and
flew upon an albotrosse's back.
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