Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Secular or Eclectic

20th Century

About Pablo Neruda

Timeline (1904 - 1973)

Pablo Neruda, Pablo Neruda poetry, Secular or Eclectic, Secular or Eclectic poetry, poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

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Original Language
Spanish

[17] I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

Themes

Fire

Garden

Light

Lotus

Lover and Beloved

Recommended Books

	100 Love Sonnets, by Pablo Neruda / Translated by Stephen Tapscott
	The Book of Questions, by Pablo Neruda / Translated by William O'Daly
	Canto General, by Pablo Neruda / Translated by Jack Schmitt
	The Captain's Verses, by Pablo Neruda / Translated by Donald D. Walsh
	The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems, by Pablo Neruda / Translated by John Felstiner

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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.

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Pablo Neruda

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World