'Drunk As Drunk' by Pablo Neruda


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Drunk as drunk on turpentine
From your open kisses,
Your wet body wedged
Between my wet body and the strake
Of our boat that is made of flowers,
Feasted, we guide it - our fingers
Like tallows adorned with yellow metal -
Over the sky's hot rim,
The day's last breath in our sails.

Pinned by the sun between solstice
And equinox, drowsy and tangled together
We drifted for months and woke
With the bitter taste of land on our lips,
Eyelids all sticky, and we longed for lime
And the sound of a rope
Lowering a bucket down its well. Then,
We came by night to the Fortunate Isles,
And lay like fish
Under the net of our kisses.


Translated from the Spanish by Christopher Logue

Editor 1 Interpretation

Drunk As Drunk by Pablo Neruda

Drunk as drunk on turpentine
From your open kisses,
Your wet body wedged
Between my wet body and the strake
Of our boat that is made of flowers,
Feasted, we guide it - our fingers
Like tallows adorned with yellow metal -
Over the sky's hot rim,
The day's last breath inhaled,
Eyes watchful in the drowsy evening.

The night sky is aglow with stars,
And we are drunk with love.
The boat we ride is made of flowers,
And our fingers are like tallows,
Adorned with yellow metal.
We feast on each other's kisses,
Our wet bodies wedged together
On the strake of the boat.

The heat from the day lingers,
And we inhale its last breath,
Eyes watchful in the drowsy evening.
The sky is a canvas of colors,
As we guide our boat through its hot rim.
We are lost in passion,
Drunk on turpentine,
And nothing else matters.

This poem, by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, is one of his most famous and celebrated works. Neruda is known for his passionate love poetry, and this poem is no exception. The poem describes two lovers who are drunk on love and on turpentine, and who are sailing on a boat made of flowers through the evening sky.

The poem is a celebration of love and passion, and it is written in a language that is both sensual and poetic. The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, and it captures the intensity and beauty of the lovers' feelings. The boat made of flowers is a particularly striking image, as it symbolizes the fragility and transience of love.

The use of the word "turpentine" in the first line of the poem is interesting because it is a harsh and caustic substance that is used, among other things, as a solvent for paint. The use of this word to describe the lovers' state of intoxication is significant because it suggests that their love is not just sweet and romantic, but also powerful and intense.

The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The phrase "drunk as drunk" is repeated twice in the first line, and the phrase "wet body" is repeated twice in the second line. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and intensity, and it emphasizes the physicality of the lovers' passion.

The use of the word "tallows" in the fourth line of the poem is also significant. Tallows are a type of wax that is used in candles, and the fact that the lovers' fingers are compared to tallows suggests that their passion is like a flame that burns bright and hot.

The final lines of the poem are particularly beautiful and poetic. The image of the sky's hot rim and the day's last breath creates a sense of a world that is both alive and dying, and the lovers' eyes are described as "watchful in the drowsy evening" which suggests a sense of anticipation and longing.

Overall, Drunk As Drunk is a beautiful and passionate poem that explores the intense emotions of love and passion. The language and imagery in the poem are both powerful and evocative, and they capture the intensity and beauty of the lovers' feelings. This is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Drunk As Drunk: A Poem of Intoxication and Liberation

Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet and Nobel laureate, is known for his passionate and lyrical poetry that celebrates love, nature, and the human spirit. One of his most famous poems, "Drunk As Drunk," is a powerful ode to the joys of intoxication and the freedom it brings. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and uncover its deeper meanings and messages.

The poem begins with a bold declaration: "Drunk as drunk on turpentine / From your open kisses, / Your wet body wedged / Between my wet body and the strake / Of our boat that is made of flowers." The speaker is clearly intoxicated, but not with alcohol or drugs. Instead, he is drunk on the passion and sensuality of his lover, whose kisses and body have transported him to a state of ecstasy. The boat made of flowers is a metaphor for their love, which is fragile and ephemeral, yet beautiful and intoxicating.

The imagery in this opening stanza is vivid and sensual, with the use of words like "wet," "wedged," and "strake" creating a sense of physical intimacy and closeness. The reference to turpentine, a harsh and toxic solvent, suggests that the speaker's intoxication is not without its dangers and risks. However, he seems willing to take these risks in order to experience the intense pleasure and liberation that comes with being "drunk as drunk."

The second stanza continues this theme of intoxication and liberation, as the speaker describes himself as "drunk as drunk can be" and "free as the roaring wind." He is no longer bound by the constraints of society or reason, but is instead swept up in the wild and untamed forces of nature. The use of the word "roaring" suggests a sense of power and energy, as if the speaker is tapping into a primal and elemental force.

The third stanza takes a darker turn, as the speaker acknowledges the risks and consequences of his intoxication. He describes himself as "mad as the mist and snow," suggesting that his mind is clouded and confused. He also acknowledges that his actions may have consequences, as he asks his lover to "take me, tie me / To the rails of the earth" so that he does not fall overboard. The use of the word "rails" suggests a sense of restraint and control, as if the speaker recognizes that his freedom and liberation must be tempered by responsibility and caution.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of sensuality and physical intimacy, as the speaker describes his lover's body as "a river full of drowned men / And women, deep inside it." This image is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting that the speaker is both attracted and intimidated by the depth and complexity of his lover's sexuality. The use of the word "drowned" suggests a sense of danger and risk, as if the speaker is aware that he could be overwhelmed or consumed by his lover's passion.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of resolution and acceptance. The speaker acknowledges that his intoxication may be temporary, but that it has given him a glimpse of a deeper and more profound reality. He describes himself as "drunk as a pomegranate / Bursting with seeds," suggesting that his intoxication has opened up new possibilities and potentials within him. The use of the word "bursting" suggests a sense of energy and vitality, as if the speaker is ready to embrace whatever comes next.

Overall, "Drunk As Drunk" is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the joys of intoxication and liberation. Through its vivid imagery and sensual language, it captures the intensity and passion of a moment of ecstasy, while also acknowledging the risks and consequences of such experiences. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true freedom and liberation come not from escaping reality, but from embracing it fully and passionately, even in its most intoxicating and dangerous forms.

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