If you are a fan of poetry, chances are, you have come across the works of Pablo Neruda. Neruda was a Chilean poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. His poetry is known for its romanticism, honesty, and political consciousness. One of his most famous poems is “Every day you play,” which has become a classic in the world of poetry. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning and significance of this iconic poem.
The Poem
Before diving into the analysis of the poem, let’s take a look at the full text:
Every day you play with the light of the universe.
Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water.
You are more than this white head that I hold tightly
as a cluster of fruit, every day, between my hands.You are like nobody since I love you.
Let me spread you out among yellow garlands.
Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?
Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.Sudden, swift, your presence surrounds me and in your effort,
brave and sweet, your fragrance remains.
Your light dances and your words are honey.
Young bridle-maker, your wildness has become a part of me
and your austerity is what I deserve.The gleam of your body would animate a stone,
you darken and command the wind,
you walk on water like a ship’s keel,
your laughter is scattered like spray.You are the essence of the world, hidden
and cruel like fate.
You are the moon with its marks of wax, with its persistent patience.
A word that melts like a kiss on the lips.
Witness of the enemy’s happiness,
emissary of salt, bearer of the sword.I salute your coloured presence who fills the mountains,
who goes forth from your fingers tipped with the flame of lilies.
You are invincible, saving
word.
You are a sun that does not hurry,
you are the river of dew that arrives in the morning.You are the crystal-maker who peeps into the windows of the leaves.
Pity, sap and blood, you climb the tallest trees.
Happiness crafted you as its flute,
a raft was made of your leaves,
a nest by the water was made by your sweetness.You are the distant bird and sound of Autumn,
you are the fragrance of sea, fathoms and mooring,
but your greatest trait is the distance
and I’m in your hands like I was in earth.
Oh beloved, your eyes are the moon and the mountain,
your laugh is the trumpet of the marine breeze,
you release the prodigious bees
from your heart,
and your hair is like waves filled with ships and men.
The Analysis
In “Every day you play,” Neruda addresses his lover directly, describing their relationship in a beautiful and striking way. The poem is divided into stanzas, with each stanza presenting a different aspect of the speaker’s feelings towards the beloved.
The poem’s opening lines are evocative and set the tone for the rest of the work. Neruda effectively paints a picture of the lover as a “subtle visitor” who is present in the world around them. The imagery of flowers and water, the “light of the universe,” hints at the lover’s transcendental qualities and their role in the speaker’s life.
In the second stanza, the speaker expresses their desire for the lover: “Let me spread you out among yellow garlands.” The line evokes a sense of celebration and joy, highlighting the speaker’s deep affection. The following lines, “Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south? / Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed,” convey a sense of longing and a desire to keep the beloved close.
Throughout the poem, Neruda uses vivid imagery to describe the lover. The lines “young bridle-maker, your wildness has become a part of me / and your austerity is what I deserve” present the lover as a force to be reckoned with, both powerful and restrained. The subsequent lines, “The gleam of your body would animate a stone, / you darken and command the wind, / you walk on water like a ship’s keel, / your laughter is scattered like spray,” further reinforce the lover’s almost mythological qualities.
Towards the end of the poem, Neruda shifts his focus to the universal qualities of the lover, describing them as “the essence of the world, hidden / and cruel like fate.” This line, in particular, emphasizes the lover’s complex nature, simultaneously nurturing and destructive. The ending of the poem is just as striking, with Neruda describing the lover’s appearance as almost divine. The lines “Oh beloved, your eyes are the moon and the mountain, / your laugh is the trumpet of the marine breeze, / you release the prodigious bees / from your heart, / and your hair is like waves filled with ships and men” present the lover as a force of nature, encompassing all that is beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Conclusion
Through “Every day you play,” Pablo Neruda presents a beautifully crafted love poem that explores the depths of emotion and desire. The imagery used throughout the work is evocative, painting a vivid picture of the lover and their relationship to the speaker. The poem’s universal themes make it stand out as one of Neruda’s most iconic works, one that continues to resonate with readers today.
FAQ
Why did Pablo Neruda win the Nobel Prize?
Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet and politician, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. Neruda is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and his work is known for its powerful and evocative language, as well as its political and social themes. The Nobel Prize was awarded to Neruda “for a poetry that with the action of an elemental force brings alive a continent’s destiny and dreams.”
Neruda’s poetry was deeply rooted in the landscape and people of his native Chile. He was inspired by the natural beauty of the country and its people, and he wrote with a passion and intensity that captured the spirit of his country and his time. He was also deeply committed to social justice and human rights, and his poetry often addressed themes of oppression, inequality, and political struggle.
Throughout his career, Neruda wrote prolifically and explored a wide range of subjects and styles. His earlier work was characterized by a lyrical, romantic style, influenced by the Spanish poets of the 1920s and 30s. In his later work, he turned to more political and social themes, incorporating a variety of voices and styles, from traditional forms to free verse.
Neruda’s most famous works include “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair,” “Canto General,” and “The Heights of Macchu Picchu.” These works are marked by their vivid imagery, musical language, and deep emotional resonance. They also reflect Neruda’s commitment to social justice and political struggle, with themes such as the struggles of the working class, the plight of indigenous communities, and the need for solidarity and collective action.
Neruda’s impact on literature and politics in Chile and beyond cannot be overstated. He was a major figure in the Latin American literary movement known as “magical realism,” which combined the fantastical with the mundane to create a heightened sense of reality. His work has been translated into numerous languages and continues to be read and studied today.
Pablo Neruda won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his ability to “bring alive a continent’s destiny and dreams” through his powerful and evocative poetry. He was a poet who was deeply connected to his country and its people, and who used his art to address social and political issues. His influence on literature and politics in Chile and beyond is still felt today, making him a truly deserving recipient of the Nobel Prize.