Thursday, July 3, 2008

A Love Poem by Neruda

Stan Rice's Red Tulip


The highest form of literature is poetry. Poetry's language is exact, precise, lyrical, and never superfluous. Though I couldn't really write a poem, and have never really tried doing one to be honest, I do know how to appreciate a great poem when I see one.

Just saw this Neruda poem this afternoon, and couldn't help reciting it.

I just love it.

Sonnet XVII

by Pablo Neruda


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.

3 comments:

 gmirage said...

I love our classes with Big Mac and Ms Ivy (lit) when we were in uste lol, I get to write my own composition and get to read lovely poems/stories....didnt they made us write some too?

car gabriel said...

yeah, the good ole days. hope they're still all alive. i loved big mac. btw, i added you as a link, hope you don't mind. :)

 gmirage said...

I was surprised nga when I found my site on your list...I added you too!

Hope to see them sometime, maybe sa homecoming! Gusto ko din makita JK, bright-eyed girl!