Writer:- Pablo Neruda
Summary
The poem “Here I love you” by Pablo Neruda is a poignant exploration of love and longing. The poet creates a vivid and atmospheric setting, with dark pines, a glowing moon, and restless waters. The passage of time is depicted as days chasing each other, while the snow dances and a silver gull glides by. The poet expresses his love for someone who is physically distant, feeling their absence in his very soul. The sounds of the sea in the distance add to the sense of longing, and the poet declares his love in a place where it seems futile to hide.
Despite the cold and lifeless surroundings, his love remains strong. The mention of vessels crossing the sea without reaching their destination symbolizes the transient nature of longing and the feeling of being forgotten. The poet’s weariness and hunger for purpose grow, yet his love for something unattainable remains steadfast. The twilight deepens his despair, but the night brings a transformation. The moon becomes a dream-like presence, and the biggest stars reflect the beloved’s eyes.
The poem concludes with the pines in the wind yearning to sing the beloved’s name. The poem captures the enduring power of love and its ability to transcend physical distance, resonating through nature and the depths of the human heart.
Understanding
1. What do “here” and “there” refer to?
ans: The words “here” and “there” are used to represent two distinct locations. “Here” refers to the place where the speaker currently resides or finds themselves in the moment of writing the poem. It symbolizes their physical presence and their longing for the absent beloved.
“There,” on the other hand, signifies the place where the beloved is located, far away from the speaker. It represents the distance between them and the unattainable nature of their love.
2. Why does the speaker look at the ships sailing away?
ans: The speaker looks at the ships sailing away as a metaphor for the passage of time and the transient nature of life. The ships symbolize journeys, departures, and the constant movement of the world.
3. What does the “black cross” symbolize?
ans: The “black cross” symbolizes a ship.
4. Where are the “heavy vessels” going?
ans: The “heavy vessels” are sailing without a specific destination.
5. What`s the meaning of “even my soul is wet”?
ans: The phrase “even my soul is wet” carries a metaphorical meaning, indicating that the speaker’s soul is filled with profound sadness or longing. The use of the word “wet” evokes a sense of moisture or tears, implying an intense emotional state.
6. Why is he happy at night?
ans: The speaker finds solace and happiness during the night. The line “But night comes and starts to sing to me” suggests a shift in the speaker’s emotions. Nighttime brings a sense of comfort and serenity, offering a respite from the challenges and longing experienced during the day.
Rhetoric/Language/Writing
1. How is the poem structured? Why are the stanza lengths different?
ans: The poem “Here I love you” by Pablo Neruda is structured into five stanzas. The lengths of the stanzas vary throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and visual interest. The varying stanza lengths help to emphasize different aspects of the speaker’s emotions and experiences.
2. What is the connotation of the word “dark” in “dark pines”?
ans: The word “dark” in the phrase “dark pines” carries a connotation of mystery, solitude, and perhaps even melancholy. The adjective “dark” suggests a lack of light or illumination, creating an atmosphere of shadow and obscurity.
3. Explain the simile “moon glows like phosphorous”.
ans: The simile “moon glows like phosphorous” is used to describe the luminosity and brilliance of the moon.
Phosphorous is a highly reactive element that can quickly burn or dissipate. Similarly, the moon’s glow may be seen as a temporary and fleeting phenomenon, emphasizing the transient and ephemeral nature of beauty and love. The simile thus adds depth to the poem’s exploration of longing, distance, and the impermanence of human connections.
4. How does the poet try to send his message to his departed lover?
ans: The poet tries to convey his message to his departed lover through the use of vivid and evocative imagery. He describes the natural elements and surroundings, such as the dark pines, the moon, the snow, the gull, and the stars, to create a sensory experience that captures his emotions and longing.
Through the power of imagery and repetition, the poet attempts to bridge the gap between himself and his lover, using language as a means of connecting their souls and expressing his love across the vast expanse that separates them.
5. Is the poem pessimistic from top to bottom?
ans: The poem, “Here I love you” by Pablo Neruda, contains elements of both pessimism and longing, but it is not entirely pessimistic from top to bottom. While the poem carries a sense of melancholy and yearning, there are also moments of beauty, hope, and poetic imagination that counterbalance the somber tone.
Discussion
1. What different subject might the poet discuss if he/she were “here”?
ans: In the poem “Here I love you” by Pablo Neruda, the poet expresses his love and longing for a departed lover. The repeated use of the word “here” throughout the poem suggests a sense of physical and emotional absence. However, if the poet were “here,” meaning in the presence of the beloved or in a different state of being, the subject of the poem might shift to one of closeness, intimacy, and shared experiences.
If the poet were “here” with the beloved, they might explore themes of connection, companionship, and the joy of being together. The poem could delve into moments of tenderness, shared laughter, and the beauty of their relationship. The focus might shift from yearning and separation to the exploration of the present moment and the depth of their emotional bond.
Instead of contemplating the distance and longing for the loved one’s presence, the poet might celebrate their togetherness and highlight the significance of their shared experiences. The subject matter could encompass moments of love, affection, and the intricate nuances of their relationship.
2. Discuss “Here I Love You” as a love poem.
ans: “Here I Love You” by Pablo Neruda is a poignant and deeply emotional love poem that explores themes of longing, distance, and the power of love. It captures the intense yearning and desire the speaker feels for a departed lover, creating a vivid portrayal of love’s impact on the human soul.
The poem begins with a description of the natural surroundings, with the wind disentangling itself in the dark pines and the moon glowing like phosphorous on the waters. These vivid and evocative images set the stage for the speaker’s expressions of love, creating a sense of atmosphere and emotional intensity.
Throughout the poem, there is a sense of longing and separation. The speaker reflects on the passing of time, the chasing days, and the transient nature of life. The snow unfurls, the gull slips down, and the stars shine high above, all symbolizing the ever-changing world around the speaker.
Overall, “Here I Love You” is a beautiful and evocative love poem that explores the depths of longing, the pain of separation, and the enduring power of love. It captures the complexity of human emotions and the yearning for connection even in the face of physical distance. Through its vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions, the poem resonates with readers, inviting them to reflect on their own experiences of love, longing, and the profound impact it has on the human spirit.
3. “I love you still among these cold things”. Explain.
ans: The line “I love you still among these cold things” in the poem “Here I Love You” conveys the enduring and unwavering nature of the speaker’s love for their departed lover. The phrase “among these cold things” suggests a world that may feel detached, desolate, or emotionally void. It symbolizes the absence of warmth and intimacy that comes with physical separation.
By professing love amidst the “cold things,” the speaker implies that their love remains steadfast despite the challenging circumstances. It speaks to the power of love to persist even in the face of distance and the absence of the beloved. The speaker’s love defies the coldness of the world and finds solace and meaning in their affection for the other person.
Overall, the line “I love you still among these cold things” encapsulates the enduring nature of love and its ability to transcend the external circumstances. It highlights the speaker’s unwavering devotion and the profound impact that love has on their perception of the world, providing a sense of warmth and meaning amidst the coldness of life.
