Men XI by Pablo Neruda (1957)

Name: Men XI
Author: Pablo Neruda

The poem explores the theme of love and desire through a series of sensual and intimate descriptions. It delves into the speaker's longing for a distant lover, evoking a sense of yearning and nostalgia. The use of rich imagery and metaphor creates a dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

By Pablo Neruda · First published 1957 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Literary Fiction · 121 words

First lines

One can see we were born to hear and see each other, to compete (how high we jump, how often we win, how much we earn, et cetera), to ignore each other (smiling), to lie in order to agree or be indifferent or eat together.

But let no one reveal the world to us, for we acquire oblivion, nothing but dreams of air, and all that's left is an aftertaste of blood and dust on the tongue: we swallow the memory with wine and beer, so far, far from all that, from the mother, from the land of our lives.

What this Textopian page supports

Men XI is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1957 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Pablo Neruda
Date: 1957 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Surrealism
Length: 121 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is characterized by its lyrical style and use of metaphor, typical of Neruda's poetic expression.
Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions about human connection, competition, and the nature of existence.
Literary Fiction — The narrative delves into complex human emotions and societal observations, aligning with literary fiction's focus on character and theme.
Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and human behavior, reflecting on the human condition and social interactions.