Nuptial Substance by Pablo Neruda

Name: Nuptial Substance
Author: Pablo Neruda

The poem explores the theme of love and its transformative power. It describes the speaker's intense emotional state, using imagery and metaphor to convey the all-consuming nature of their passion. The poem also touches on the idea that love can be both creative and destructive, highlighting the tension between these two opposing forces.

By Pablo Neruda · First published 1959 · Genre: Poetry, Erotic Literature, Surrealism · 286 words

First lines

Standing like a cherry tree without bark or flowers, special, burning, with veins and saliva, and fingers and testicles,

I look at a girl of paper and moon, horizontal, trembling and breathing and white and her nipples like two separated ciphers, and the rosy meeting of her legs where her mound flutters with nocturnal eyelashes.

Pale, overflowing,

I feel words sink into my mouth, words like drowned children, and on we go and ships grow teeth, and waters and breadth as if on fire.

What this Textopian page supports

Nuptial Substance is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1959 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: 1959 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Erotic Literature, Surrealism, Romanticism, Modernism
Length: 286 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Nuptial Substance by Pablo Neruda
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Nuptial Substance?
How does this poem by Pablo Neruda fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is characterized by its lyrical and expressive language, typical of poetic forms.
Erotic Literature — The vivid and explicit descriptions of physical intimacy and desire are central themes in the text.
Surrealism — The imagery and dream-like quality of the language reflect surrealist influences.
Romanticism — Themes of passion, nature, and intense emotion align with romantic literary traditions.