Famous Love Poem

This poem was written while Pablo Neruda was in exile from Chile, during which time he was also having an affair with Matilde Urrutia, the woman who would become his third wife. It is presumed the poem was written with Matilde in mind, perhaps while she was in his presence. This poem shows how when an individual consumes your thoughts, everything you see, hear, touch, or experience reminds you of that person. It also shows that love can only last when a relationship is cared for and not ignored. As soon as one person does not see it as important, the relationship begins to wither.

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Once during the elective courses I teach - visualisation of poems by different poets- one of my students made a video artwork with her own drawings, illustrating this poem. It is one of the...

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Famous Poem

If You Forget Me

Pablo Neruda By more Pablo Neruda

I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Teresa Salcedo by Teresa Salcedo
  • 2 years ago

One must love themselves first, for without loving oneself, one cannot love another.
"I will promise to love you if you love me." Love stands alone and comes to life when exhibited. This poem is a classic poem, nonetheless.

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  • Shubhalakshmi Shukla by Shubhalakshmi Shukla
  • 2 years ago

Once during the elective courses I teach - visualisation of poems by different poets- one of my students made a video artwork with her own drawings, illustrating this poem. It is one of the most beautiful video artworks I have seen made by my students / artists in my journey as a writer and professor.

What struck me the most about this video by Heta Rathod is that the poem was chosen halfway...till the stanza if you stop loving me...It's abrupt ending...midway...manifested a new dimension to love...agreeing to end the relationship... however, my breath was stuck half way...it made me restless, jittery and impatient. The poem has the potential to resonate even this dimension of love occurred to me through Heta Rathod. And I discovered that love doesn't end if one tries hard to end it. Rather, its presence continues as a platonic presence in solitude with life's journey.

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  • Helena Rose by Helena Rose
  • 5 years ago

This poem is a very touching one. It reminds me of sad times I have with my husband who I love dearly but is quite neglectful at times. It also brings me to remember the fantastic late actor Rutger Hauer who read this poem aloud in a video made not long before he passed away. I am a huge Rutger Hauer fan, and his death crushed me. Rutger read this very sincerely and warmly. This poem will make sure I will remember him.

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  • Niki by Niki
  • 5 years ago

Currently in a long-term relationship, however, recently it has been feeling more one-sided. My side. Reflecting with this poem, I have realized our love wavered when he deemed my feelings about small issues unimportant. I did not think this would have a lasting effect, but now I can see it has built up and is now crumbling apart. Effort and compassion from both partners are extremely important. Even if the issue seems small to you, it may mean the world to your other.

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  • Nayan Puntambekar by Nayan Puntambekar
  • 6 years ago

Hello all readers and writers,
I am sure we all have experienced that intense love where we feel the existence of that one person when they are with us or away. This poem gives a lot of courage to all those who have experienced the strength and powers you got from the love. We often forget to value ourselves, and we give love and respect to others. In all this time they do not realize they are not giving the respect and love we deserve.

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  • Bamania Bharat Velji by Bamania Bharat Velji
  • 6 years ago

I'm an ordinary person that no one seems to like. I love a beautiful girl, but she never liked me. I've been struggling for 6 years in a one-sided love. Whenever I see her, my heart starts to beat faster, and my eyes stay on her face. Family problems arise as soon as I plan to tell her how much I love her.

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  • Dais by Dais
  • 5 years ago

Start to apply the first and the second part of the poem in your life without attachments, and the right person will appear in your life. Maybe it is her or maybe it is not her. Be open to the universe that shall bring the love you're looking for. Have faith in your heart. Have faith to love.

  • Victor Langat by Victor Langat
  • 7 years ago

I'm touched by the poem. It ignites the new feeling of being loved in me.

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  • Justin by Justin
  • 7 years ago

I rated my Dana's roses,
As the days towards the Valentine closes.
I remembered her beautiful voice,
Telling me that my love was the only choice.
What about the beautiful promise!
That she would stay by me till our demise.

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