My Name Was Reyes by Pablo Neruda

Name: My Name Was Reyes
Author: Pablo Neruda

The poem explores the speaker's identity and sense of self through their name, Reyes, which holds cultural and familial significance. The speaker reflects on their past, family history, and cultural heritage, weaving together memories and emotions to create a rich tapestry of identity.

By Pablo Neruda · First published 1974 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism · 132 words

First lines

My name was Reyes, Catrileo,

Arellano, Rodríguez, I have forgotten my true names.

I was born with a surname of old oaks, of saplings, of hissing wood.

I was deposited among rotting leaves: this newborn sank down in the defeat and in the birth of forests that were falling and poor houses that had recently been weeping.

What this Textopian page supports

My Name Was Reyes is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1974 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: 1974 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Philosophical Literature, Nature Writing
Length: 132 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work employs lyrical language and explores deep emotional and existential themes, characteristic of poetry.
Literary Fiction — The narrative delves into identity and personal history, typical of literary fiction's focus on character development and thematic depth.
Magical Realism — The blending of the natural and the fantastical elements in the narrative aligns with the conventions of magical realism.
Philosophical Literature — The exploration of identity and existence reflects philosophical inquiries, making it relevant to this genre.