Original Poem
Love Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda I do not love you as if you were a 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
Translation (English)
I don't love you like a salt rose or a topaz, or like the fiery arrow of carnations. I love you like dark things that are loved in secret, between shadow and soul.
I love you like a plant that doesn't bloom but holds the light of hidden flowers. Thanks to your love, a solid fragrance rises from the earth and lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, when, or from where. I love you simply, without complexities or pride. I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I don't exist, nor do you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close when I fall asleep.
About the Poet
Pablo Neruda (20th Century)
Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature. Known for his passionate love poems, he wrote in various styles including surrealist and political. Neruda served as Chile's ambassador to France and was a close advisor to President Salvador Allende.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Sonnet
- When Written
- Published in 1959
- Background
- This sonnet is part of Neruda's collection 'One Hundred Love Sonnets', which explores the depth and complexity of love. It reflects Neruda's ability to express profound emotions and his unique perspective on love, emphasizing intimacy and unity.
Sources: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49236/one-hundred-love-sonnets-xvii, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda, https://poets.org/poem/one-hundred-love-sonnets-xvii-i-dont-love-you-if-you-were-rose
Detailed Explanation
Pablo Neruda's 'Love Sonnet XVII' is a profound expression of love that transcends conventional comparisons. The poet begins by stating that he does not love his beloved in a typical or superficial way, such as comparing her to a rose or a gem. Instead, he loves her as one might love mysterious and hidden things, suggesting a deep, intrinsic connection that goes beyond the surface. The imagery of a plant that never blooms but holds the potential of hidden flowers symbolizes the latent, powerful love that exists within him. This love is described as a fragrance that rises from the earth, indicating its organic and essential nature. The poet emphasizes the simplicity and purity of his love, devoid of pride or complexity. He concludes by expressing an inseparable unity with his beloved, where their identities blend so intimately that they become one. This sonnet captures the essence of a love that is both profound and elemental, highlighting Neruda's mastery in conveying deep emotions through vivid and evocative imagery.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| topaz | a yellow gemstone | a yellow gem used in jewelry | toh-paz |
| carnations | a type of flower | a spicy-scented flower often in bouquets | kar-nay-shuhnz |
| fragrance | a pleasant smell | a nice smell | fray-gruhns |
| complexities | complicated aspects | complicated parts | kuhm-plek-si-teez |
| pride | self-respect or arrogance | feeling good about achievements | pryd |
| shadow | a dark area or shape | darkness from blocked light | sha-doh |
| soul | the spiritual part of a person | the non-physical part of a person | sohl |
| bloom | to produce flowers | to flower or grow well | bloom |
| straightforwardly | in a direct way | in a simple and honest manner | streyt-fawr-werd-lee |
| exist | to be real or present | to be real | ig-zist |
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