XVII (I do not love you...)
by Pablo NerudaI 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.
Pablo Neruda (1904 - 1973) Pablo Neruda was the pen name and, later, legal name of the Chilean writer and politician Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto. Neruda assumed his pen name as a ...
Reactions
30 written
How Feb 20, 2010
I liked this poem, it's gracefully written. It reminds me of Shakespeare's Sonnet 130.
Ant Sims Feb 22, 2010
Agree, it's very traditional. Absolutely beautiful.
Gary W Weasel Jr Feb 23, 2010
I enjoyed reading this, your style is attractive.
Taylor Sorrel Sep 13, 2010
To Gary and Luke: Pablo Neruda has been dead since 1973...He's not going to respond to your comments any time soon.
Andressa Leite May 10, 2010
i'm not one for love poems, but i'm kind of fond of this one. beautiful.
Deborah Neher May 26, 2010
Yes, a classic! And still something you would want to give to the love of your life!
epi Jul 28, 2010
"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul."
i am so so so in love with the way he feels (&then the way he puts it to paper).
in secret, between the shadow and the soul."
i am so so so in love with the way he feels (&then the way he puts it to paper).
myday113 Aug 21, 2010
"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."
..this is the real meaning of love...
Neruda always my favorite poetry...i am never tired to read him.. (sorry about my english.. it's not my mother language)
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."
..this is the real meaning of love...
Neruda always my favorite poetry...i am never tired to read him.. (sorry about my english.. it's not my mother language)
Hugh Lovzewe Oct 18, 2010
I love him and this is one of my faves but WOW, the internet/stumbleupon REALLY throws this poem up A LOT when I'm surfing poetry...I mean this poem could be a drinking game/:
Richelle Jan 20, 2011
One of my favorites. It's so beautiful. It feels real and straight from the heart.
Aubrey Zepeda Jan 26, 2011
It's beautiful; the description of love, without any complexities. That she is loved because she is imperfect, is beautiful.
Josephine Hamilton Feb 18, 2011
This is so beautifully written...
I love texts about love not being so bright, this reminds me a little of Damien Rice and 'dark love'.
Thank you StumbleUpon.
I love texts about love not being so bright, this reminds me a little of Damien Rice and 'dark love'.
Thank you StumbleUpon.
Geethika H Rodrigo Feb 28, 2011
I might have just fallen in love with a poem for the first time. The genuineness is so striking. It's so original.
Bob May 29, 2011
No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal topacio
o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego
I know this poem by memory in Spanish. Definitely my favorite :)
o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego
I know this poem by memory in Spanish. Definitely my favorite :)
Katherine Fuguet Jul 5, 2011
This is the poem that inspired me to become a poet.
Mariel Jean Hollis Raymundo Jul 13, 2011
Exactly my sentiments. Neruda's work inspires. His "Saddest Poem" was the one that made me who I am when I am writing.
Kristin Maiorano Sep 29, 2011
This is my favorite love poem. It truly describes what real love feels like.
Derick Nov 4, 2011
"so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."
Very captivating and enticing, with a tone of maturity that most love poems lack.
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."
Very captivating and enticing, with a tone of maturity that most love poems lack.
Farman Yusufzai Feb 27
the poem refuses to be ignored. its adolescent demand on the readers attention is persistent and consistent. a couple of lines leave a little to be desired. the poem's poetic impact engaged my interest powerfully
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