Poem- If You Forget Me By Palbo Neruda
I want you to know one thing.
You know how this is:
if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch near the fire of impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals, were little boats
that sail toward those isles of yours that wait for me.
Well, now, if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.
If suddenly you forget me do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.
If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners that passes through my life,
and you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots,
remember that on that day, at that hour,
I shall lift my arms and my roots will set off to seek another land.
But if each day, each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.
1. How is figurative language used in the poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language.
Hyperbole – ah my love , ah my own
Shows exaggeration, evokes a strong sense of love and desire
Personification – everything carries me to you, wrinkled body of the log
Depicts nature as a living thing which carries her to 'you', makes the reader feel that the body of the log is like an old man's one , one which is wrinkled.
Metaphor - aromas, light, metals, were little boats
Comparing aromas , lights , metals to little boats
Symbolism - the fire of impalpable ash
Fire of impalpable ash is used as a symbol in this case, gives the reader a feeling that there is a deeper meaning to this phrase.
2. Tell us why you like this poem in no less than 100 words.
This poem is an extremely romantic one. It evokes a strong feeling of love and an unforgettable memory of someone who the author loved greatly. The sentences are extremely meaningful. The phrase ‘ flower climbs up to your lips to seek me’ is a really beautiful one. Since flowers are pretty , it makes the reader feel as if it is very touching and romantic. The author also used many good phrases and some hyperboles, personification, metaphors and symbolism. Some of her sentences are really very meaningful and beautiful . Some examples are “I shall lift my arms and my roots will set off to seek another land.”, “and you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots” etc. All in all, I enjoyed reading this poem very much.
