Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

I do not like lyrics as much as I like poetry, so my dedication to Gimmi will be this poem by Pablo Neruda. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful poems ever written.

Because of this poem I was inspired never to write a love poem ever again, hehe, because I felt that if ever I should pen a love poem, then it should have to be one that spoke deeper than this:

Sonnet XVII

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,
rises from the earth, and lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, nor when, as 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 when you close your eyes I fall asleep.

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2 Comments

  1. i remember the first time you dedicated this poem to me. i never was much on poetry until you read me this poem. like cupids arrow, it went straight to my heart. from that moment on i vowed to myself- im going to marry this girl. and so i will. love you!

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