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A love sonnet from Neruda

February 14th, 2006 by Bill

Well, it is Valentine’s Day after all and, while love has numerous aspects, shadings and qualities, it’s romantic love that most people think of on this day – it’s presence or absence.

Whatever … I love the poetry of Pablo Neruda (well, the political stuff not so much) and any excuse to post a poem of his must be leapt at. Even if he is a bit darker and earthier than the usual greeting card sentiment associated with the day. Actually, because he is earthier and darker. So, from One Hundred Love Sonnets (1960) (translated by Stephen Mitchell):

XVII

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.

- Pablo Neruda -

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5 Responses to “A love sonnet from Neruda”

  1. on 14 Feb 2006 at 4:19 pm1 Lushy

    Excellent choice. I love a poem that gives me goosebumps.

  2. on 14 Feb 2006 at 4:33 pm2 Bill

    I always liked this one. Especially that last line.

  3. on 14 Feb 2006 at 5:28 pm3 none - ya

    Wow! The best post I’ve read all day. Damn.

  4. on 14 Feb 2006 at 5:31 pm4 Bill

    Yes, Neruda rocks with words!

  5. on 15 Feb 2006 at 11:58 am5 Sizzle

    i am going to go buy a neruda book of poetry. i have always been meaning to but now, i can’t resist.

    thanks for sharing that.

    :) sizz

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