Pablo Neruda's "One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII" is a poignant and deeply intimate expression of love. In this sonnet, Neruda speaks to his lover, addressing them as "you" throughout the poem. He tells them that their love is a "treasure" that he keeps close to his heart, and that it is something that he will always cherish.
The first quatrain of the sonnet presents the speaker's adoration for their lover. Neruda writes that their love is a "treasure" that he holds dear, and that he is grateful to have found it. He also describes their love as a "miracle," suggesting that it is something rare and special that he is lucky to have experienced.
In the second quatrain, Neruda speaks to the enduring nature of their love. He writes that it is a "long river" that flows through his life, and that it is something that he will always carry with him. He also compares their love to a "rose," suggesting that it is something beautiful and delicate that he must care for.
The third quatrain presents the speaker's deep emotional connection to their lover. Neruda writes that their love is something that he feels in his "flesh" and in his "bones." This suggests that their love is not just an intellectual or abstract concept, but something that is deeply felt and embodied.
In the final quatrain, Neruda speaks to the transformative power of their love. He writes that it has changed him, and that he is a different person because of it. He also suggests that their love has given him the strength to overcome any obstacle, and that it is something that will always be with him.
Overall, "One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII" is a beautiful and moving expression of love. Through vivid and evocative imagery, Neruda captures the depth and intensity of his feelings for his lover. He speaks to the enduring nature of their love, and to the way it has transformed him as a person. This sonnet is a testament to the power of love to inspire, uplift, and sustain us.
