Shakespeare, move over!

I always suspected that despite its visual complexity and ability to intimidate, poetry could be extremely appealing genre. It has something for everyone, we'll just have to find it. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked Neruda's "We Are Many" when I red it for the first time. Little did I know, that soon afterwards, while surfing the web, I'd come across a stunning discovery - love sonnets by Pablo Neruda. I have to confess to having a preconceived idea about Neruda due to his political and communist background.(Born and raised in Soviet Union, I'm well aware of how communist poetry sounds like.) Was I wrong... Amazing, unforgettable, one of a kind poetry! And just to think that it was dedicated to his wife - love of his life! With all due respect, Mr. Shakespeare, you lost this round!

So, please, enjoy!

Submitted by Aksana Norman

Love Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

I do not love you as if you were a 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.