March 25, 2006

Love Poem

Sonnet 17

I do not love you as if you were the 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.

~Pablo Neruda

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep

That really is a sumptuous yet spare line. I'll need to look up this Neruda fellow and see what else he's written.

dislocatedmuse said...

Pablo is one of my favorites. I recently found your blog, and I plan on returning often. I struggle often with trying to expand my spirituality in the confines of the modern world. Trying to find a balance between the responsibilities to my family (whom I am the sole provider of) and awakening. I find your site a great comfort. -Love and Light

christina joy said...

i love this... it's beautiful!