Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
45(45%)
4 stars
29(29%)
3 stars
25(25%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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99 reviews
July 15,2025
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Light, light,
Spring, spring,
Take them from me.
But never, never
Hide your smile from the world.



In this beautiful poem, the words seem to flow like a gentle breeze. The repetition of "light" and "spring" emphasizes their significance. It's as if the poet is offering these precious elements to someone or something. The line "Take them from me" shows a certain selflessness or perhaps a willingness to let go. However, the poet makes it clear that the smile should never be hidden. The smile is like a ray of sunshine that can brighten up the world. It's a powerful and positive message that encourages us to always show our true selves and share our joy with others.

Overall, this poem is a simple yet profound expression of the poet's feelings and thoughts.

July 15,2025
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"Smiling at Night"


At night,


During the day,


On the winding streets of this island,


On this little boy,


Who loves you.


But when... our eyes meet and I close them,


When my feet go and come back,


Take the bread, the air, the light, the spring from me!


...But never take your smile.






It's a very beautiful book! I love it very much.



This article seems to describe a complex set of emotions and scenes. The mention of smiling at night and during the day gives a sense of the continuous presence of this emotion. The description of the winding streets on the island and the little boy adds a touch of vividness and perhaps a hint of a story. The lines about taking things away from the narrator but never the smile suggest a deep value placed on that particular expression. The final exclamation about the beautiful book and the love for it seems a bit out of place, perhaps it was added later or is related to something not fully explained in this text. Overall, it's an interesting piece that leaves room for further exploration and interpretation.

July 15,2025
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I was able to establish a connection with these poems. Some of the poems suggest that the lover (Pablo Neruda) has expectations and demands from the beloved (his wife). For me, who has heard about love in Persian literature and examples like Lili and Majnun, this level of self-will from the beloved was not understandable.

Love is often portrayed in different ways in various cultures and literary works. In Persian literature, the story of Lili and Majnun is a famous example of a passionate and almost obsessive love. However, in Neruda's poems, the relationship seems to have a different dynamic.

Maybe the expectations and demands he expresses are a reflection of his own deep emotions and desires. Or perhaps it is a cultural difference in how love is perceived and expressed. It makes me wonder if there is a universal definition of love or if it varies from person to person and culture to culture.

In any case, reading these poems has given me a new perspective on love and has made me think more deeply about this complex and often mysterious emotion.
July 15,2025
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I truly loved Neruda's profound understanding of the dark side as depicted in those poems dedicated to his wife. It was as if he wore his shadow like a cloak, with jealousy, aggression, and domination all boldly written in the book.


I consider "Courting the Wild Twin" by Martin Shaw to be an incredibly lucky find. It never fails to astonish me how one book can lead to another. Initially, Neruda published this book anonymously, attempting to preserve its mystery, as he put it, "for no reason and for all the reasons." Under this veil of mystery, Neruda operates on four levels of being - in Love, Desire, Furies, and Lives. Each chapter is a testament to his beloved wife. The poems are chronologically ordered, following the natural flow of their deep falling in love. As the sentiment grows, it reaches an unlikely fusion of love and comradery that I was extremely fond of reading.


The poem "The Well" is also quite remarkable. At times, one may sink or fall into their hole of silence or abyss of proud anger. Scarcely able to return, still carrying remnants of what was found in the depth of existence. The poet wonders what his love finds in her closed well - seaweed, swamps, or rocks? What does she see with her blind, bitter, and wounded eyes? But he assures her that she will not find in the well what he keeps for her on the heights - a bouquet of dewy jasmines and a kiss deeper than her abyss. He pleads with her not to fear him and not to fall into rancor again. She should shake off his word that came to wound her and let it fly through the open window, as it will return to wound him without her guiding it, since it was laden with a harsh instant that will be disarmed in his breast.


This collection of poems by Neruda is truly a masterpiece that delves deep into the complex emotions of love and the human psyche.
July 15,2025
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Some of these poems seem to be a lot like the kind of overly sentimental and senseless drivel that could potentially be penned by a lovesick high school student. On the other hand, there are others that are marginally better than that.

It becomes rather difficult to fathom how Neruda could have ever won a Nobel Prize if this collection of works is supposed to be representative of his literary prowess.

"Quítame el pan, si quieres,

Quítame el aire, pero

No me quitas tu risa."

There are numerous passages within these poems that bear a striking resemblance to second-hand pop music lyrics. Of course, Spanish is my second language, and when I peruse these poems in Spanish, the words don't possess quite the same earth-shattering power that English words hold for me. So, perhaps I simply fail to understand the true essence... but then again, I don't think that's the case. I firmly believe that these are nothing more than mediocre poems.
July 15,2025
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This is the most beautiful book I have ever read in my entire life ♥♥♥. It is absolutely wonderful. I loved, loved, loved every single word. As always, Pablo Neruda is masterful.

The poems in this collection are like precious gems that sparkle with the light of love and passion. Each line seems to be carefully crafted to touch the deepest corners of our hearts.

The first poem I quoted, "He dormido contigo",描绘了一幅温馨而浪漫的画面. The speaker sleeps with his beloved throughout the night, and even in the darkness, their connection remains unbroken. It is a beautiful expression of the power of love to overcome all obstacles.

The second poem, "Oh tú, la que yo amo", is equally动人. The speaker addresses his beloved as a small, red grain of wheat, and acknowledges that life may be hard, but he is determined to have her by his side. It is a promise of eternal love and commitment.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and romance. It will leave you with a sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of language and love.

\\"\\"

Eternally in love...
July 15,2025
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...


Laugh at night
, during the day, throughout the month
Laugh at the twists and turns
Of the island's streets, at this short-legged lad
, who loves you
, but when our eyes meet and I close mine
, when my feet move and then return
, take the bread, the air
, the light, the spring
From me
But never take your laughter
. Until my eyes close to the world



This beautiful piece of poetry seems to express a profound and bittersweet emotion. The author encourages someone to laugh freely and joyfully, regardless of the circumstances. They are willing to give away many precious things, but not the other person's laughter. It implies that the other person's laughter holds a special significance and value for the author, perhaps being a source of light and hope in their life. The imagery of the island's streets and the short-legged lad adds a touch of charm and specificity to the poem, making it more vivid and engaging. Overall, it is a moving and thought-provoking piece that makes the reader reflect on the importance of laughter and the power of human connection.
July 15,2025
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I truly desired to have a deep affection for this collection. However, after coming across the same metaphors repeatedly in each poem, I found myself facing difficulties.

For instance, I understand Pablo - her curvaceous body is compared to wheat, and it's evident that you have a particular fondness for her breasts. She stabs you just like the thorny flower she represents, and you suffer in jealous, possessive agony. But your love is allegedly so intense that it transcends all boundaries, traverses through time and space, and blossoms into the most magnificent garden.

Your love that - I've grasped the concept already! Please cease with the overused metaphors. It becomes tiresome and takes away from the potential beauty and depth that could have been achieved through more diverse and original表达方式.
July 15,2025
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When I find myself unable to gaze upon your face,
I turn my attention to your feet instead.

Your feet, with their arched bones,
and your small, yet hard feet.

I am well aware that they provide support for you,
and that your gentle weight
rests upon them as you move.

Your waist and your breasts,
the double purple hue
of your nipples,
the sockets of your eyes
that seem to have just flown away,
your wide, fruit-like mouth,
your red tresses,
you are like my little tower.

But it is your feet that I love the most
simply because they have walked
upon the earth,
upon the wind,
and upon the waters,
until at last they found their way to me.

July 15,2025
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The book "Take the Wind from Me, But Not Your Smile" is a collection of love poems by "Pablo Neruda". He composed these poems on the beautiful and paradise-like island of Capri, where the Oscar-winning film "Il Postino: The Postman" was filmed.

The poems in this collection are highly romantic, full of emotions, and passionate. Neruda dedicated these poems to his beloved, Matilde Urrutia.

This collection can also be reminiscent of "A Quiet Love Poem" by Nader Ebrahimi, with the difference that Ebrahimi's writing was more tender and vivid for me as an Iranian!

Among the negative points of the book, one might mention the issue of censorship and sometimes the not-so-interesting translations of some parts. Ahmad Pouri translates some parts very liberally, which leads to the creation of a popular work but with less fidelity to the original text.
July 15,2025
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From my perspective, the experience of reading these poems in this particular time and place was truly extraordinary!

It was as if the words on the page came alive, transporting me to a different world filled with emotions and images that I had never before encountered.

The rhythm and flow of the poetry added an additional layer of beauty, making it a truly immersive experience.

Each poem seemed to tell a unique story, and I found myself completely captivated by the author's words.

I could feel the passion and creativity that went into each line, and it inspired me to look at the world around me in a new and different way.

Overall, this was an experience that I will never forget, and I look forward to reading more of these wonderful poems in the future.

July 15,2025
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There is a particular poem in this book that is extremely valuable to me. In fact, just this one poem was sufficient for me to give it five stars.

This poem has a certain charm and beauty that touches my heart deeply. It seems to convey emotions and ideas that I can easily relate to.

The words are carefully chosen and arranged, creating a vivid and powerful image in my mind.

Reading this poem is like embarking on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. It makes me think about life, love, and all the things that truly matter.

I find myself coming back to this poem again and again, each time uncovering something new and meaningful.

It has become a source of inspiration and comfort for me, and I am truly grateful to have found it in this book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of poetry.
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