I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
Notes
Translation of oldpoetry.com/poetry/32288
‘,’
XVII From: ‘Cien sonetos de amor’
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
1 - 59 of 59
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From guest Haley W. (contact)
I must admit that this poem was a fifty fifty for me, some parts were good while the others didn't catch onto me was well and took forever for me to read over and over and over just to understand it. My favorite stanza is the last one when he says, "so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep." That was probably the cutest as well. I wish I would have liked this poem more but it just didn't seem to catch my interest all that well, except for some lines. Technically I can say that this is an "okay" poem overall. -
Homework
From guest Jake (contact)
I have mixed feelings about this poem. Its dull, yet I like it. Corney, yet I can see people acctually saying this stuff. the one line I like above all others is "I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where" because it Just kinda speaks to me. -
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Homework?
Be careful. Such poetry can be addictive!
Charley Noble (MOD)
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Homework
When i read this poem by Neruda i was blown away. It was one of those poems that just was really spot on. I liked line 10 it is just right. To love is not about the complexions but of the things in common. Pride though that is no way to be in a loving relationship but understanding would be better way to put things. If you are understanding things go very smooth and that is the best thing to do. So I would really tell people that this poem is great and is good for reading to a loved one. -
[sonnet XVII] english class reflection
From guest Lexa Inkley (contact)
This poem was absolutely amazing. It ha dso many lives that touched me and that i could understand and agree with. One of those lines was "I love you as the plant that never blooms but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers." To me this is the most romantic thing I've ever heard. To me this means that to the world his love may not seem strong, but underneath the surface, and to his lover, his love is as strong as it could ever be. Which reminds me that just because you can't see something, doesn't mean its not there. The next lines that i loved so much were, "so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep." To me these are two goreous lines. They mean that two people in true love may be two people, but they are two people that have become one. And these two people are so in love that they feel like they share the same heart and same emotions and that they are in fact...one person. -
From guest Chris (contact)
The beginning of this poem was really hard to understand with all the comparisons and similes but once i got it i really liked it. One line that really stood out to me was "I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where." because i could actually relate to that. When you love someone it doesn't really matter what they do because you love them for who they are and you don't really know why. Another part i really liked about this poem was the last stanza because they are being talked about as one person and i think that's really sweet. That's why I liked this poem. -
Homework
From guest Zach C. (contact)
I didn't like this poem as much as I did the others we've read. Not to say I think it's a bad poem, just not my deal is all. Love not being a subject I look into all that much, I found the poem uninteresting and hard to follow. Only a single line popped out to me, which was "where I does not exist, nor you,". The line had attracted my attention before I really even fully understood it. Simply something about the way it's written caught my eye long enough to appreciate the poem for the well-written piece that it is, whether it was relative to my interests or not. So, good poem, but I still didn't like it. -
English Homework
From guest Rebekah Wiegand (contact)
Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda didn't stand out to me as much as some other poems have. Although some lines did really catch my eye while reading this. Some parts of the poem may not give the right impression. In my opinion, if you were to give this poem as a love letter to the person that you love, it might come out not the way you intended it too. what i mean by this is that when Neruda explains, "I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way." this to me might come off as if you do not love someone exactly like this then you don't love at all. But in other ways i do agree very much with this. in relationships you should not have complexities. it should be straight forward without and complications or questioning at any time about love. Although two other parts of the poem really touched me in different ways. the first part of the poem that did was, "I love you as the plant that never blooms but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;" this to me really shows that this person is very much in love because of who they are. this means that it doesn't matter if you don't have the most amazing looks or the coolest cloths it's what is within the person and who they truly are. Thats the most important part of starting a relationship with someone. the next part of the poem that i liked was, "than this: where I does not exist, nor you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep." This seems like two people who are in love becoming one, like in a marriage. just like the poem says that "your hand on my chest is my hand,". the bond and the love that you share for one another makes you grow tremendously and eventually become one. Although there were things that i did not care for about this poem for the most part i thought this was a well meaningful written poem. -
homework
From guest taylor inkley (contact)
In the sonnet XVII by pablo neruda, he does a magnificent job explaining love and how is should be. Me personally i'm not a big fan of love poetry but if i was to like love poetry i think i would really like this poem because its a really deep and beautiful poem. I do how ever like the line where he says "I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where." this line to me just shows how unexpecting love can be which i find the best part about love. -
homework class 4!
From guest ashley cc (contact)
I beleive this poem was written well, and it describes the way love should be. The line i like the most would be, "I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;". That part of the poem relates so much to when your in love with someone and vis versa, you cant explain why you love someone. I read a quote on myspace once and it said "explaining why i love you, is like explaining how water tastes, and thats impossible. I beleive the quote can relate to this poem, and may have been inspired by this poem because like i had said before, you cant just explain love. Love is a feeling that grows inside of you, when you connect with someone, and it something that doesnt just stop. When you love someone there is a connection were sometimes when you know that person well enough you can tell what the other is thinking, and you can tell when the other is feeling something. Love its just a beautiful thing shared between two people, and that should never change. i love poems about love. -
Sonnet XVII
From guest Jonr (contact)
The Sonnet “I do not love you as if you were brine-rose, topaz” written by Pablo Neruda is a good love poem that I enjoyed reading. The poem really shows the meaning of true love and how it really is. It talks about loving people at their worst and their best. This reminds me of wedding vows when you agree to love someone in sickness and in health for better or worse as long as you both shall live. People watch all the love movies like The Notebook and The Titanic, and love them so much. They really should be reading this poem and falling in love with it the same way. The divorce rate in this country is so how right now it is pretty pathetic and sad. People are rushing into things and they don’t really have true love. Most of them can not read this poem and say I love my partner like this. “I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride” is a perfect way to put that. It is truly true love if you can say that you will love your partner no matter what happens and that you love them for who they are. Another line I like is “so close that your hand on my chest is my hand.” I like this line because I hope when I find someone for me it will be someone that I can be myself with and that we are so connected we are basically one person. “I do not love you as if you were brine-rose, topaz” is an amazing sonnet that really defines what true love is. -
Homework
From guest Gabe (contact)
Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda, To me this poem did not have much effect because i am not into the love poem category but he does have very good similes that might be a bit hard to understand if you have not read through the whole poem at least two times. I did like the poem in general though. -
Review Homework
From guest Nathaniel N (contact)
I do not like this poem by Pablo Neruda because it is boring. Even though I don't like this poem I do like a few lines from it. One line I kind of like is the one that says "Where I does not exist, nor you". I like this line because it kind of shows how close they are by saying in other words you go everywhere I go and don't go any where I don't go. Also the line that says "so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. -
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not just immediately...
the second stanza had the essence of no shaped or stamped reaction of appearance per se as the finality looked upon but potential. It does reflect an aim to make things seen well, listing one's for flourishing fullness with nurture as cultivated celebration yet to be; like spoken of saffron in Isaiah 35 that can be cared for more conducively soon of spread ease.
the latter half of the write is our unprofessional parallel I feel but in peronality by complex tugs and tags, together as goals and legitimate now. concern for one rolls into other it should seem.
compartments of strength and sensitivity can be refocused,
babies are my subject -
your eyes close as I fall asleep!
From guest DeMarko (contact)
This ultimately is how much God loves us. Yes it make us think of the man or woman we love, but i believe this expresses the passionate love God has for each of us. Think of it, The true king of the universe, Jesus Christ wants to be close to me and you! what an awesome display of love as we look outward and inward insearch of true love. this poem is truly a great read. It express the true meaning and depth of love.!! -
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Between the lines
WOW! what a read. He found that little spot. the dark corner of my attic that needs to be looked at and cleaned up. What things do I need to throw away? What will I hold onto? What will my daydreams be of. Strong visual imagery to deal with a abstract concept of love. -
Amazing
This poem is the most beautiful I've ever read, this inspired me to pick up the pen again. I refer to it often for guidance. -
it simply means
From guest Flip (contact)
She loves you, but not like she loves flowers. Instead she loves you deeply, as something with intangible value. She loves you for what is within you. And your love for her fills her existence. The last two stanzas are pretty easy to understand. I think. -
So what does it mean?
From guest anon (contact)
I would really like to know what this means, a girl gave me this poem, when I asked her 'why?' she said 'because it fits us' I think it fits us because we don't know each other all that well, but from what we see in each other so far, we're a good couple. I also think she wants to keep our love a secret from our friends... or at least, doesn't want to go telling everyone we're together -
Brine rose
What can I say regarding this gifted poet? You can go on reading it for ever. -
This is the best translated version of Love Sonnet XVII in my opinion.
From guest Eugene Seoh (contact)
I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz or arrow of carnations that propagate fire: I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul. I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries hidden within itself the light of those flowers, and thanks to your love, darkly in my body lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth. I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close. -
This is in my opinion the best translated version of Love Sonnet XVII
From guest Eugene Seoh (contact)
No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal, topacio o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego: te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma. Te amo como la planta que no florece y lleva dentro de sí, escondida, la luz de aquellas flores, y gracias a tu amor vive oscuro en mi cuerpo el apretado aroma que ascendió de la tierra. Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde, te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo: así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera, sino así de este modo en que no soy ni eres, tan cerca que tu mano sobre mi pecho es mía, tan cerca que se cierran tus ojos con mi sueño. -
the arrow of carnations
From guest chance (contact)
What does this line mean? I am totally lost on this part of the poem. Help! -
Difficulty of literal translations
From guest GunMan (contact)
Neruda is an absolutely wonderful writer. Unfortunately, unless you speak Spanish it is very difficult to understand some of the true meaning behind much of his work. Plays on words such as in: So close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. can be difficult to grasp when translated literally. Some of the wonder and beauty is lost in translation, but, if you jist, you can grasp the meaning. -
Neruda's poem
It sweeps you of your feet by the sheer magic of the thoughts painted. You can go on reading it again and again it is so inspiring!I would give anything to write like that
Nuggehalli Pankaja -
Beauty
"so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep"
This is the most beautiful poetic love expression that I have read in a long time...
it's a long love poem...this one line...a full love life...
a love song with all the beautiful words and thoughts...it reminds me of another poem...
"I never loved you more, ma soeur
Than as I walked away from you that evening.
The forest swallowed me, the blue forest, ma soeur
The blue forest and above it pale stars in the west." by 'Bertolt Brecht '
very sweet poem with a very realistic approach -
XVII
From guest Jody (contact)
This was sent to me from the love of my life. We can never be together, and love from afar. The beauty and the pain are so purely spoken here as if the words came from he, himself....I love you Joseph and will for all eternity......Jody -
traducido or reducido?
From guest jefrino (contact)
How in the world did "la flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego:" get converted into "the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off."? The beauty of this poem has been wrung out in this English translation. Como es posible que esta maravilla de poesia se puede convertir en algo, por poco, prosaico? -
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Guest Jefrinio has highlighted one of the problems of translation. Does one provide a literal translation preserving the poets own words in the new language or a literary translation and endeavour to preserve the feelings even with different words or, as in this case a literal translation with the translators own style superimposed.
Does any of our reader-linguists have a different version for us to use?
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From guest Crissy (contact)
cool I read about this poem in that book lets get lost its so cool (the poem) -
absolutely beautiful
This is such a pure and timeless poem. Every time I read it I feel like crying, the last two stanzas stay in my mind the most, but it is in the first two that I feel the real essence of emotion in this poem.
Neruda, you never fail to impress!!! -
A++++
this is my favorite Neruda poem, especially the last two stanzas
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I have searched and searched for this poem - finally I have found it! Woohoo! It's such a beautiful poem, and brings me to tears when I read the line "so close that your hand on my chest is my hand". Makes me think on my boyfriend....
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This is my very favorite!
Yes, it makes me want to cry.
I have never read a sonnet so beautiful, so moving. I wrote it on a card once for someone I really cared about. It was before I really knew them and then I fell for them. I wish I could go back and say, "That's what I want to say to you." But I can't. I have no guts. I have no gorgeous words like Neruda does.
And I agree with Nicolette--I was wondering if this WAS the one in "Patch Adams." I've been wondering for a long time but I haven't seen that movie for years. I need to watch it again. That movie makes me cry too. Geeze, I'm so darn emotional.
How could someone write this so majestically?
This is the kind of person I want to find in my life, who will write beautiful words about love and mean them.
Or I want to be able to write them.
Even if I can't show them to anyone.
If I had just a tiny bit of Neruda's talent, I would be happy. But I don't, and I won't. I can only hope one day that someone will read something of mine and say, "Maybe she was onto something... maybe not."
That's as close as I'll ever get.
Oh, see, here I am getting emotional. It's just the love! It's all about the love! [getting all choked up] -
Every time I read this poem I have to cry.
The line: so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. breaks me up every, every time.
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I wonder how many times have I read this poem...one of the most beautiful examples of love poetry - ever!! This is where I come when I want to be filled with beauty and learn about metaphors in poetry. I must confess that the first time I've heard this poem was in the movie "Patch Adams" where Robin Williams read this poem to his loved one - piece by piece - and only finish reading it to her at her grave... Ah, "the arrow or carnations the fire shoots off"...that line just stirs something inside. A poem without complex words, but so deep and utterly beautiful. Superb!!
~ Nicolette
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How very Beautiful...i like the flow...the melody and the classic touch of romance...very sweet poem
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Ahkam - this will be the Poem of the day within two days - it had been placed there on the list - however I've brought it forward a couple of days.
Thanks for your interest.
~Von~
Edited on Sep 21, 10:04 p.m. because ''. -
let this be the poem of the day.it's a beauty
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The loss of focus, usually happens when you translate it from spanish to english. If you want to read it in spanish http://oldpoetry.com/poetry/32288 check it out. Its a whole different ball game there. You can also check out his other works which are as aweome as they come
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The poet has thoughts! and it is well written. But the flow of thoughts goes bit out of the track in these lines "thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body". It is clear that the poet did not had the destination when he started the poem...yes it happens most of the time. One small suggestion... Let the thought flow in a direction and maintain the flow. Nice one ..keep writing ..All the best !.
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Neruda speaks so clearly. There is no pretense of grandure or thickness of image or allusion. He speaks what is and with him that is beautiful.
DAMN BEAUTIFUL!
give me more.
now.
do as i say. -
This is one of my fav. poems by Neruda(who just happens to be my fav. poet) Neruda's style is such that it reminds you of how it feels to lay on your back on a clear night and just stare at the starred sky, pronounced by a full moon. That rushing sensation that reminds you always how it feels to love purely. This man had a gift to make the reader adapt to the feeling of the poem, to absorb the essence of its meaning. Incredible. Other poems by him that you guys might find interesting to read are "Tonight i can Write" and ( I knly know its name in spanish...but look for its translation) "Me Gusta Cuando Callas" I have them both in my list of fav. Poems on my website at bibi178.tripod.com you can read them in spanish there.I hope you all will take the time to read through his works, because it is worth it!
~Bibi~ -
{sigh}...ahhhh...missed my Neruda...haven't read him in awhile...I vividly remember reading an entire collection, jaw on the ground...Heart in my eyes, Soul pulsating in Time to his Rhythm...Thanks so much for featuring his work...very enjoyable...& a reminder of Good Memories, as well... Wanda
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That was a very great piece. It was very soulfull. Way to keep it real. keep up the good writing.
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The poem was brilliant, I love this line "I love you as certain dark things are to be loved," and the continuation on this line this is like a love affair and no one should ever know what is really behind the frequent visits. "i love you as the plant that never blooms but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers" this line just strikes home that ther is more to beuty then what is only skin deep or an outter apperence. This is a great write in my opinion. Keep up the good work!
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i love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers
totally loved that also, dunno it jsut sticks out!
~KM SIGLIN -
This sounds like something from Walt Witman. Or something Patch Adams read to his girlfriend in the movie "Patch Adams". I don't know what I'm trying to say, but in any case this piece is beyond timeless, and romantic, and beautiful as ever love was told...
Abby Eyeball
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Thank you for featuring this beautiful sonnet. The last two lines are the most moving to me. Ahhhhhhh, put me in a lovey dovey mood now. -Karen
Edited on Sep 20, 9:20 p.m. because 'typo'. -
"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul."
what a gorgeous line. dark and sweet. what a terrific gift for words.
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OMG i absolutly love your writing! I am personally fond of sonnets, but this one hits home a little better than most. I hope I can feel this way someday...
~Bkwrm -
Ilove this poem because it is amzing! Very well written and wuite amazing. Sonnets are very beautiful things when done properly and I definitely think that this sonnet was done with a high degree of mastery. Everything about it, I loved. Keep up the good work!
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A VERY profound piece here. Some of the classics ARE classics because they are timeless as well as simply incredible. A nice piece to promote. It has bween a long while since I have read this piece.
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This is what gets me:
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers
Terric stuff...the man from Chile who wrote on his own island. -
i like this poem...and after watching patch adams, i even like it more... aye! this is a masterpiece for love and people in love. God speed. =)
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I agree that this poem does not match exactly any form of the sonnet. However, its message was quite pretty. Typical love poems are getting old, but this put a twist on that... it was refreshing.
- sky -
I was to see this Old Poetry sonnet that doesn't exactly follow my vision of what a sonnet is. It had no rhyme and no iambic pentameter. Still, I know there are many sonnets written without those things and it was 14 lines. Of course too it was about love, the classic sonnet subject.
The poem was, I am sure, brilliant, but honestly didn't appeal to me that much. I did really like the line "I love you as certain dark things are to be loved," I'm just not a big love poem fan.
Jennifer -
I could write a sonnet about this sonnet...hehehe...
no, really it is one of he best love poems i have ever read...just hits on all cylinders. -
Great words from the Chilean poet.True honest poetry
Thank you -
Very beautiful, I love the carnations that fire shoots off...that is amazing. I have been trying to get familiar with different poets/styles and I am so glad this one was featured. I love the message this one brings. Thanks to whoever featured it.
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Ah, it's so strange when folks think a classic poem was written by an AP member.
This is so beautiful. Dang. It's so touching. Especially the end. Too lovely. -
That istruley striking....I love an aray of emmotions the you can relate to.
~Spirit~ -
"Between the shadow and the soul" .. perfect. All should have at least one Neruda on their bookshelf to read alone .. and definitely to someone .. good post. -
THAT IS GREAT AND WONDERFULL!
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I absolutely love this write! Somehow it touched me very deeply... I think because it's how I didn't realize I feel about my boyfriend. You expressed such amazing intimacy through these words. Honestly, I simply love this! I'm looking forward to reading more of your writes soon. Take care.
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I finally know why sonnets are so adored. This one so touched my heart. The soft sadness of its words brings an odd comfort.
Excellent...I adore this.
Mary ann -
ahhh what a poem. I loved the whole thing and believe me, it is aweinspiring. It helped me look at love from a different angle. Wonderful.
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this is a great neruda poem. (I've read other translations of it that I like better) I could read neruda everyday. I never get tired of his leaping metaphors. young poets could learn a great deal about poetry writing by reading neruda.
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Wow. Great poem. I love it. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up. I hope to read more of your work in the future. You're very talented.
~Miranda
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my very favorite
Ever since I first heard this poem (which happened to be on Patch Adams) I always cry, It speaks to me personally, the love I feel which like so many situations is a pahse, like mine Pablos words are never empty.
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I have loved these lines ever since I first read them. It speaks of lonely love- love that's felt, never spoken. It has the taste of salty tears running down the face, the tears of pride, swallowed, when all else is lost.
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he\'s the poet born not made!!!!!!!!!!!
i haven't read anyone who really touches the heart of a reader like pablo neruda. he's really a genius!!!!!!! he's able to speak the thoughts and feelings of the many. i hope he exist forever! im looking for someone who's really hooked to his poems so i could share thoughts with you. reach me through governessjoy@yahoo.com -
I don't know how many of you can read spanish, but this one is definitely worth a read in his native tongue.
te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras,
secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma. -
I don't know how many of you can read spanish, but this one is definitely worth a read in his native tongue.
te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras,
secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma. -
I love this poem, as I would surmise, anyone with the mental capacity to comprehend, and feel, and love would. He speaks from a place everyone has, deep inside their soul. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I read it. I'm sure a lot of people will agree.
Cheers Pablo! You shall never be forgotten. -
i happen to adore pablo neruda, he was such a breath of fresh air in the genre of love poetry. he just has a natural way with images and metaphors, that just works so well.
this is as beautiful as he always is.
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I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
Oh I like the metaphors you have chosen for this poem. Beautifully expressed.
Red -
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
what a beautiful ending to a beautiful poem.
I love this. Pablo is fastly becoming one of my fav poets.
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i agree with you suzi, says a lot about a very specific part of love.
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THis is a beautiful poem. I enjoyed this very much it show how love can just be that feeling that you have with someone. Not having to talk or speak but you kmow that person loves you for who you are.
My favorite stanza was
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way"
This is a beautiful poem
Pablo was a wonderful poet
Thanks for posting it
Derek:)
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This happens to be one of my favorite love poems..
Not cliched
Not said a thousand times before by every poet in love..not bright and sunshiney..but dark with a hint of melancholy, but always with so much love..
Yep..this one breathes soul mate into my ear
As hidden rain drops find release running down my face..
This one is beautiful..I wish I had written but, obviously I haven't.
Hope others enjoy this the same I have over and over...(yes I know this author is dead) I'm only saying I hope anyone who stops by to read will enjoy this the way I have.
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