The Captain's Verses by neruda pablo

99 reviews All reviews

swordfish-san

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Capri is a place to live love,

Capri is a place to write extraordinary poems for a woman: Matilde Urrutia..

“The Verses of the Captain” is nothing but the story of their love, so great, so intense and passionate.

In the woman, he feels the necessary completion of the man, and through love, he “talks” with the whole universe and a true song of joy emerges from it.

Each of his verses is filled with passion and sentiment, vibrant words that come out of the soul..

Unforgettable poems made of images, colors, music, and emotions.

One of many: “The Night on the Island”:

All night I slept with you

next to the sea, on the island.

You were wild and sweet between pleasure and sleep,

between fire and water.

Perhaps very late

our dreams united,

high or deep,

high like branches moved by the same wind,

low like red roots that touch.

Perhaps your dream

separated from mine

and through the dark sea

it searched for me,

as before,

when you still didn't exist,

when without seeing you

I sailed beside you

and your eyes searched for

what now - bread, wine, love, and anger -

I give you full-handed,

because you are the cup

that awaited the gifts of my life.

I slept with you

all night, while

the dark earth turns

with the living and the dead,

and suddenly waking up

in the middle of the shadow

my arm encircled your waist.

Neither the night nor sleep

could separate us.

I slept with you

and waking up, your mouth

out of sleep

gave me the taste of earth,

of sea water, of algae,

of the bottom of your life,

and I received your kiss

wet with the dawn,

as if it reached me

from the sea that surrounds us.

It is a precious book, to be kept close to open it from time to time..

A simple but heartfelt thank you to who gave it to me!

Written on May 30, 2010

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Taylaww

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This book was written in Capri, Italy, where Neruda and his beloved Matilde were hosted by a political figure.

The book was initially published anonymously. Some suspicious critics pointed out political reasons for this. However, the real truth is that he didn't want these erotic poems to hurt his wife of 18 years, Delia del Carril.

Later, when the book reached adulthood, it took its own path in life and he had to recognize it.

The poem goes: "Take my bread, if you want,
take my wine, but
don't take your laughter from me.

But I love your feet
only because they walked
on the hard ground and on
the wind and on the water,
until they reached me.

There are countries, there are rivers,
in your eyes,
my homeland is in your eyes,
I walk within them
and they light up the world
where I go,
beautiful.

Oh our love is a taut string
that binds us and hurts us
and if we go
to escape the wound,
to separate
in new breasts it binds us and punishes us
to bleed and to burn together."

This beautiful work of art not only展现了 Neruda's profound love but also reflects his complex emotions and the delicate balance in his personal life. It has become an important part of literary history, touching the hearts of countless readers.

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Hyunhoswife

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

It seems
as though you would fit
in one of my hands,
as though I’ll clasp you like this
and carry you to my mouth,
but
suddenly
my feet touch your feet and my mouth your lips:

I had to read this at once when it was mentioned in another book I was reading called Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley. It was like a sudden spark that caught my attention.

I’ve known Neruda through Patch Adams (1998) because the film showcased his Sonnet 17. We also studied his Tonight I Write the Saddest Lines in Uni, so that’s that. But seriously, I am in love with this book! This is the most sensual I’ve read Neruda hahaha! It’s so awesome that it got mentioned in the book by Cath Crowley. It makes me wonder what other wonderful treasures lie within Neruda’s works. Now I’m super excited to read his Love Poems! I can’t wait to explore the depths of his passion and love through his words. I have a feeling that it will be an unforgettable experience.

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Monrello

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I am not that soft as a willow from Chopan, as described in the fable.

But I am a warrior.

I divide the land, the wind, and the mountains.

With you, I take my share.

My strength lies in my determination and courage.

I am not afraid to face any challenges that come my way.

I will fight until the end, for what I believe in.

My spirit is unyielding, like a storm that cannot be tamed.

Whether it is on the battlefield or in life, I will always strive to be the best.

For I am a warrior, and that is my destiny.

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Moriette

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Lush, passionate, evocative, and fiercely romantic - these are the words that come to mind when one delves into this collection of poetry.

Written by one of the most renowned bards of the 20th century, it truly lives up to its reputation. The intensity of Neruda's feelings for his lover is palpable on nearly every page, making most of the poems an absolute delight to read. However, there are a few exceptions, particularly when Neruda veers into the political realm. But these are few and far between.

I must note that this is not a book to be read from cover to cover in one sitting. As wonderful as the poems are, they share a similarity of tone and imagery. By the time you reach the final words, they may start to feel a bit familiar. That's why it's best to approach each poem on its own terms. This slender volume is truly meant to be savored over weeks or months, whenever the mood strikes.

Overall, I would rate this collection a four point four. It's a beautiful work of art that will surely touch the hearts of many.

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Wude

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

When I was a young man, around 20 years old as far as I can recall, I picked up this volume of Neruda's poetry. I was eager to expand my worldview. I remember devouring Neruda's poems, flipping through the book randomly, hoping—desperately hoping—to discover something profound and meaningful within them. But at that time, my mind found nothing that it could respond to.

Recently, I decided to revisit some of the books I read in my youth. With a sense of trepidation, I picked up this one again. Would I finally find something in the poems this time? Or would I experience the same lack of connection as before?

I am delighted to report that Neruda truly lives up to his reputation. When I was young, I thought and read like a young man, attempting to analyze the poems by delving solely into the language. My youthful mind searched but found nothing. However, with the passage of time, and having endured the trials of love and lost desire, something in Neruda's work now resonates with me. My mind still searches, and it finds much to engage with in many of the poems. But my heart, a heart that understands the tragic realities of life, both the genuine and the false, discovers a vibration in his work that strikes a chord within me as well.

Perhaps it is the collection of poems on love, or the set on 'The Furies'. Maybe it is the diction, the soft repetition of 'amor, amor, amor'. It could be something indefinable that holds its meaning 'like water in a net / the surface and the temperature / of the purest wave of life'. Or perhaps it is the suffering, the longing, the intense, masculine anguish that Neruda expresses in his work. Maybe it is all these things that start that vibration. Or perhaps it is just the sad memories within me that hear something similar in him.

Whatever the reason, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Read it, and then put it away for years. One day, find it again, as I am certain I will in the years to come.

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_ryu__jin4

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A collection of sensuous poems, divided into four distinct sections namely Love, Desire, The Furies, and Lives, was penned and addressed to his future wife, Matilde Urrutia.

These poems are not just words on a page; they are a profound expression of emotions that seem to leap out and touch the heart. I truly wish I could have read these beautiful and heartfelt poems in their original language.

One of the most powerful pieces is "THE DEAD WOMAN". It begins with a haunting thought: "If suddenly you do not exist, if suddenly you are not living, I shall go on living." The poet wrestles with the idea of losing his beloved and yet finds the strength to carry on. He declares that he cannot be silent or inactive in the face of injustice. "Where blacks are beaten, I cannot be dead. When my brothers go to jail, I shall go with them."

Even in the face of victory, which may not be his personal victory but a greater one, he feels compelled to speak. However, the poet also admits to the pain and turmoil that would consume him if his love were to die. "All the leaves will fall on my breast, it will rain upon my soul night and day, the snow will burn my heart."

Yet, he resolves to go on living because his love wanted him to be untamable and because he feels a connection to all men. This poem is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit.

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moykul

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Sólo puedo decir una cosa:

“Si alguien me ha de amar, por favor, que sea como Pablo a Matilde, no menos.” Estos son exquisitos versos de amor y nostalgia que me hacen detenerme y reflexionar.

El amor que se describe en ellos es tan intenso y profundo que me emociona.

Imagino a Pablo y Matilde, compartiendo momentos preciosos, llenos de ternura y afecto.

Quiero que alguien me ame de la misma manera, con esa pasión y fidelidad.

Espero encontrar a esa persona que me haga sentir tan especial como Matilde debe haber sentido con Pablo.

Quizás algún día, esos versos se conviertan en realidad para mí y pueda experimentar un amor tan hermoso y duradero.

Hasta entonces, me contentaré con soñar y esperar.

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