'I Like For You To Be Still' by Pablo Neruda
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I like for you to be still
It is as though you are absent
And you hear me from far away
And my voice does not touch you
It seems as though your eyes had flown away
And it seems that a kiss had sealed your mouth
As all things are filled with my soul
You emerge from the things
Filled with my soul
You are like my soul
A butterfly of dream
And you are like the word: Melancholy
I like for you to be still
And you seem far away
It sounds as though you are lamenting
A butterfly cooing like a dove
And you hear me from far away
And my voice does not reach you
Let me come to be still in your silence
And let me talk to you with your silence
That is bright as a lamp
Simple, as a ring
You are like the night
With its stillness and constellations
Your silence is that of a star
As remote and candid
I like for you to be still
It is as though you are absent
Distant and full of sorrow
So you would've died
One word then, One smile is enough
And I'm happy;
Happy that it's not true
Translated by W.S. Merwin
Submitted by RANDOM (PH)
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Like For You To Be Still - A Masterpiece of Passion
Pablo Neruda, the Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet, is renowned for his works that explore the depths of human emotions. His love poems, in particular, are celebrated for their sensuousness and intense passion. Among these poems, "I Like For You To Be Still" stands out as an exquisite example of Neruda's mastery over language and imagery. This poem, with its rich symbolism and metaphors, expresses the poet's desire for his beloved to be still and share a moment of intimacy with him. In this literary criticism, I will delve into the nuances of this magnificent poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.
The Theme of Love and Intimacy
At its core, "I Like For You To Be Still" is a love poem that celebrates the beauty and intensity of romantic love. The speaker, presumably Neruda himself, addresses his beloved, telling her that he likes her to be still, to be quiet and peaceful. The stillness, in this context, is not a physical stillness, but a metaphorical one that represents a moment of intimacy, a pause in the rush of life. The speaker wants his beloved to stop everything she is doing, to forget the worries of the world, and to be present with him in the moment. This desire for shared intimacy is a recurring theme in Neruda's love poems, which often depict the lovers as being completely absorbed in each other's presence.
The Structure of the Poem
"I Like For You To Be Still" is a free-verse poem with no set rhyme or meter. It consists of two stanzas, the first being longer than the second. The poem is written in the second person, with the speaker addressing his beloved directly. The first stanza is composed of three sentences, each of which is broken up into shorter phrases. The second stanza, on the other hand, consists of a single sentence that spans four lines. The brevity of the lines and the lack of punctuation give the poem a flowing, almost stream-of-consciousness quality that enhances its sensuousness.
The Language of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "I Like For You To Be Still" is its rich use of imagery and metaphor. The speaker compares his beloved to a flower, a pond, and a quiet animal, using these images to convey his desire for her to be still and at peace. The flower is a symbol of beauty and fragility, while the pond represents tranquility and depth. The quiet animal, presumably a deer, evokes a sense of grace and innocence. These images are not only sensual but also evoke a sense of naturalness and simplicity, suggesting that the speaker's desire for intimacy is grounded in a primal, almost instinctive, need.
The poem also employs a number of sensory details to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The speaker describes his beloved's lips as being "like dawn," her hair as "the tangle of my breath," and her voice as "the sound of the sea." These descriptions not only evoke a sense of physicality and sensuousness but also suggest a deep emotional connection between the speaker and his beloved.
The Interpretation of the Poem
"I Like For You To Be Still" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's personal perspective. At its most basic level, the poem is a celebration of love and intimacy, a tender moment shared between two people who are completely absorbed in each other's presence. However, the poem can also be read as a commentary on the frenetic pace of modern life and the need for stillness and contemplation. The speaker's desire for his beloved to be still can be seen as a call to slow down, to take a break from the constant busyness of the world and appreciate the moment.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents a desire for emotional connection in a world that is increasingly disconnected. The speaker's longing for intimacy can be seen as a response to the alienation that is often felt in modern society, where people are more likely to interact with screens than with each other. The poem suggests that true connection can only be found in stillness, in being fully present with another person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I Like For You To Be Still" is a masterpiece of passion and sensuousness that explores the depths of human emotion. Through its vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem celebrates the beauty of romantic love and the need for intimacy in a fast-paced world. It is a testament to Neruda's skill as a poet that he can convey such complex emotions with such simplicity and grace. "I Like For You To Be Still" is a timeless work that speaks to the human heart and will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Like For You To Be Still: A Poem of Love and Serenity
Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet and Nobel laureate, is known for his passionate and sensual poetry that captures the essence of love and life. One of his most famous poems, "I Like For You To Be Still," is a beautiful ode to the power of love and the tranquility it brings to our lives. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem and understand why it continues to resonate with readers around the world.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire for his lover to be still. He says, "I like for you to be still / It is as though you are absent / And you hear me from far away / And my voice does not touch you." The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of love and the need for stillness and silence in our lives. The speaker wants his lover to be still so that he can speak to her from a distance, without the distractions of the world getting in the way.
The first stanza also introduces the theme of absence, which runs throughout the poem. The speaker says that when his lover is still, it is "as though you are absent." This suggests that the speaker is aware of the impermanence of love and the fact that his lover may not always be with him. However, he also suggests that even when she is absent, he can still feel her presence through the power of his words.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of stillness and silence. The speaker says, "I like for you to be still / And you seem far away / It sounds as though you are lamenting / A butterfly cooing like a dove." Here, the speaker is describing the peacefulness that comes with stillness. He compares his lover's stillness to the sound of a butterfly cooing like a dove, which is a beautiful and calming image. The use of the word "lamenting" suggests that the speaker is aware of the sadness and pain that can come with love, but he also suggests that this pain can be transformed into something beautiful and peaceful through stillness.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of time. The speaker says, "And you hear me from far away / And my voice does not reach you / Let me come to be still in your silence." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the distance between himself and his lover, both physical and emotional. He wants to be still in her silence, to be present with her even when they are apart. The use of the word "silence" suggests that the speaker is aware of the passing of time and the need to appreciate the present moment.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love. The speaker says, "And you hear me from far away / And my words do not touch you / Let me touch your silence with my words." Here, the speaker is expressing his desire to connect with his lover through his words. He wants to touch her silence with his words, to bridge the distance between them and create a deeper connection. The use of the word "touch" suggests that the speaker is aware of the physical and emotional aspects of love and the need for both in a relationship.
The fifth stanza of the poem continues the theme of love and connection. The speaker says, "Let me speak to you of my love / That you may hear it with your heart / For it wells up from within me / To the heights of my being." Here, the speaker is expressing his love for his lover and his desire to share it with her. He wants her to hear his love with her heart, to feel the depth of his emotions. The use of the word "wells up" suggests that the speaker's love is a powerful force that comes from within him and reaches the heights of his being.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings together all the themes and imagery that have been introduced throughout the poem. The speaker says, "It is as though you are absent / And yet, I can feel you / A prayer upon my lips / And a silence within me." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the paradoxical nature of love, the fact that even when his lover is absent, he can still feel her presence. He compares his love to a prayer upon his lips, suggesting that it is a sacred and powerful force. The use of the word "silence" suggests that the speaker has found peace and stillness within himself through his love.
In terms of language and imagery, "I Like For You To Be Still" is a masterful example of Neruda's poetic style. The poem is full of vivid and sensual imagery, such as the butterfly cooing like a dove and the speaker's love welling up from within him. The use of repetition, particularly the phrase "I like for you to be still," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's beauty and power. The poem is also full of paradoxes and contradictions, such as the idea that stillness can bring us closer to our loved ones even when they are absent.
In conclusion, "I Like For You To Be Still" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love and the need for stillness and silence in our lives. Through its themes of absence, stillness, time, and love, the poem explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of language to connect us with one another. Neruda's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's beauty and power. It is no wonder that this classic poem continues to resonate with readers around the world, inspiring us to find stillness and peace in our own lives and relationships.
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