Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.
Meaning
From poem XIV of Neruda's early collection, this line imagines a love so deep it reaches back to a time before the beloved appeared in his life. It is about memory and gratitude. Spend a few minutes recalling the moment you first noticed someone you love and tell them what you remembered.
Source: Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair (1924), trans. W. S. Merwin
About the author
(1904–1973) was a Chilean poet and diplomat known for his passionate and lyrical poetry. His works, including "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair," explore love, politics, and human emotion. Neruda received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. His poetry has been widely translated and celebrated. Pablo Neruda’s legacy continues to inspire readers and writers worldwide.
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