Visual Poetry

Just recently I have fallen in love with the poet Pablo Neruda. He was a Chilean poet who's real name was Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto. He wrote under the pen name Pablo Neruda. His poetry was all originally written in spanish. It is amazingly beautiful, even when translated. I can't imagine what life would be like if every emotion I experienced was as intense as he describes his own feelings.

I am creating an entire collection of images called the "Visual Poetry Series" based on poetry that inspires me. The prints will be available with (or without if you prefer) lines from my favorite poems. This is the first of many to come.

The line that goes along with this print is from Pablo Neruda's Sonnet XVII.

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul. 

I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way

Than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.