The basic stock photo background and lack of interesting font may inspire cliche, but the words still pierce through. But here, we're going to go a bit beyond the same stanza from the same poem, and shed some light on Neruda's other poemas.
Pablo Neruda was born Ricardo Eliecer Neftali Reyes Basoalto in southern Chile, 1904. He would take his pen name from Czech poet Jan Neruda. Boldly selling all possessions to publish his first book, "Crepusculario", in 1923, Neruda reached true renown with his second book
Pablo Neruda was born Ricardo Eliecer Neftali Reyes Basoalto in southern Chile, 1904. He would take his pen name from Czech poet Jan Neruda. Boldly selling all possessions to publish his first book, "Crepusculario", in 1923, Neruda reached true renown with his second book
"Veinte poemas de amor y una cancion desesperada" (Twenty love poems and a song of despair). At the age of 20, Neruda devoted himself entirely to his work, and left behind his studies. Beginning in 1927, Neruda served as a Latin American diplomatico (a service traditionally held by poets). Influenced by the Spanish civil way, Neruda moved from love poems to intensely political odes or manifestos, often praising the extreme left, historical epics, and poems with surreal imagery. Neruda was awarded such prestigious honors as the Nobel Prize in Literature and the International Peace Prize. He was called "the people's poet".Though his oeuvre is extensive, Neruda's most famous poemas come from his second published work. His love poems are what you'll probably see most often. And why not? They're fascinating. Personally, I love how there is not one scrap of cliche. Neruda captures love in multiple angles, with straightforward imagery used in inventive, imaginative, yet accurate ways. One can relate to it, as well as feel that they're reading something intense. It's deeply human. I'd expect nothing less from the people's poet.
Next week, I cover my favorite Neruda poems and why they're worth reading. Be prepared.
No comments:
Post a Comment