Pablo Neruda’s “Don’t Go Far Off”

 

Chile’s most acclaimed poet, Pablo Neruda, wrote beautiful poems of love, beauty, loss, grief and rebellion. Today I’d like to share one of his love poems.  In Don’t Go Far Off (No lejos de mí un solo día) the poet reveals the depth of emotion he holds for his love.  He aches if he must wait for his darling love to be with him.

Don’t leave me, even for an hour, because
then the little drops of anguish will all run together...”

The exquisite pain of falling in love and wanting to be with your cherished one, is delightfully captured in this poem.  I’ve included both the original Spanish version and the translated English one.

 

No lejos de mí un solo día

Don't Go Far Off

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

13 Comments

  1. ambroseandelsie April 25, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Thank you for including both the original Spanish and the English translation. Both are beautiful in their separate ways.

    Reply
    1. Kim April 25, 2018 at 9:16 pm

      That’s what I thought too. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!

      Reply
  2. Diana Tyler (Eccentric Muse) April 26, 2018 at 4:37 pm

    This is so beautiful! I guess I can safely say that Pablo Neruda writes masterpieces.

    Reply
    1. Kim April 26, 2018 at 9:54 pm

      I think so 🙂
      I have to read some more by him.

      Reply
  3. Clarice Anne April 27, 2018 at 11:13 am

    I loved this. It beautifully captures the emotions of love.

    Reply
    1. Kim April 27, 2018 at 3:30 pm

      Glad you enjoyed. It is so beautiful.

      Reply
  4. Angela April 28, 2018 at 4:37 am

    From the first time I was introduced to Pablo Neruda’s work at school, when I was 13 years old, I fell in love with his work. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Kim April 28, 2018 at 1:34 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed. I have only recently begun to read is poetry. It is beautiful!

      Reply
  5. Laura Pollard April 28, 2018 at 5:35 am

    Neruda’s poetry is stunning. Thanks for sharing this poem—I hadn’t come across this one before. And I agree with another reader’s comment, it’s lovely to read both in Spanish and English.

    Reply
    1. Kim April 28, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed. I’m only now discovering the joys of his words. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ellen Hawley April 30, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Is the translation yours? It captures some of the original’s–I’m not sure exactly what it captures, but I’d have known, I think, that it was Neruda.

    Reply
    1. Kim April 30, 2018 at 6:08 pm

      I wish it was my translation! Sadly, I am not that skilled… as yet! 🙂
      I found that the rhythm translated well, which surprised me when I read it. I had expected a change with the language nuances.

      Reply

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