LOVE NEVER FAILS

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 straight forwardly, without complexities or pride;

So I love you because I know no other way than this:

Where I do 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.

by the late and oh so great Pablo Neruda