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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some of his poems I liked to the extent of four or five stars, while some others only one star. I don't know if in translation some of them have become so vulgar and weak or not. Phrases like:

«You must open the door to me,
You must obey me,
[…]
Don't be afraid, I am attached to you,
But
I am neither your distant nor close
I am your master…»

And about three hundred times in different poems he said «My beloved, I am a path of struggle». Well, go away!

In the following, I will bring three poems that I really liked. The first poem is complete and the second and third texts are parts of longer poems.

_________________

«Uselessly»

Do you see my hands? They have dug the earth
Separated the soil and stones
Built war and peace
The distances
Have been taken from the seas and rivers.
And again,
When they pass over your body,
My little beloved,
My grain of wheat, my lark,
They cannot hold you,
Fallen from light and power
They follow a flock of doves
That are nesting or flying in your chest,
They approach the feet of your feet,
They sit in the light of your armpit,
You are a treasure for me
Full of uselessnesses to the sea and its branches
White and widespread and azure
Like the earth in the grape season of China.
In this land,
From the feet to the forehead,
Walking, walking, walking,
I will waste my life.

_________________

Sometimes and sometimes you fall
In the well of your silence,
In the gorge of your proud anger,
And when you return
You can't even a little
Of what you found there
Bring with you.

My love, in the closed well of you
What do you find?
A sea shell, a trench, a rock?
With a closed eye what do you see,
The wounds and bitternesses?
My beauty, in the well that you are
What I have put aside for you in the heights
You will not see.
A bunch of dewy jasmines,
A kiss more bitter than your well.

_________________

When they tell you: «This man does not love you,»
Remember
My lonely feet at night,
That are in search of your slender and sweet feet.
My love, if they say I have forgotten you,
Even if I myself say this,
Don't believe,
How can anyone, how can they
Separate you from my heart?

----------------------

03/01/02

In the train.

Don't be afraid of me,

Don't sit again in the corner of your heart.

Take the words that come to harm you

And throw them out of the window.

They come back to harm me

Without you being their guide.

They have taken the weapon from that moment of deception

Which is now silent in my chest.

If my mouth is full of harm for you

Smile.

I am not a soft-hearted like in the fairy tale,

But a forest dweller

Who divides the earth, the wind and the mountain

With you.

Verse: Part of the poem "Well"

*********************

Ali, despite all the censorship that has been imposed, was beautiful and proud. And he had a special order that I recommend when reading the book, do not disrupt its order :). He carried himself with a certain dignity and charm that was evident even in the face of adversity. His story is one that is worth exploring and understanding, as it offers insights into a world that is often hidden from view. The way he navigated through the challenges and difficulties that came his way is truly remarkable. It is a testament to his strength of character and his unwavering determination. As we read his story, we are able to gain a deeper appreciation for the human spirit and its ability to persevere in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Came across this poem 3 years ago, and it has remained a source of inspiration ever since. I still revisit it from time to time. Reading Neruda in Chinese is incredibly refreshing. His words seem to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

I especially love the poem "If you forget me". The beautiful textures, colors, space, and views it describes are like a dream. The raw emotions expressed, the直率的愛 (frank love), and the怒 (anger) within love, make me feel as if I am experiencing it all myself. In love, we all return to being like a child, vulnerable and full of wonder.

One day, I hope to be able to read this poem in its original Spanish. I believe that would give me an even deeper understanding and appreciation of Neruda's genius. Until then, I will continue to cherish the Chinese translation and let it transport me to a world of beauty and emotion.