Ode to a Pair of Socks by Pablo Neruda
The poem is a tribute to a humble object, elevating it to a symbol of love and beauty. It describes the socks as worn out, full of holes, and smelling of sweat, but still cherished by the speaker. The poem explores themes of intimacy, nostalgia, and the human experience.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1954 · Genre: Poetry, Ode, Imagism · 228 words
First lines
Maru Mota brought me a pair of socks that she knitted with her shepherdess hands, two socks soft as rabbits.
I put my feet into them as into two cases knitted with threads of twilight and sheeps wool.
Wild socks, my feet were two wool fish, two big sharks of ultramarine crossed by a golden braid, two giant blackbirds, two cannons: my feet were honored in this way by these heavenly socks.
They were so beautiful that for the first time my feet seemed to me unacceptable like two decrepit firemen, firemen unworthy of that embroidered fire, of those shining socks.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a lyrical expression of admiration for a simple object, characteristic of poetic form and style.
- Ode — The title and structure indicate it is an ode, a form of poetry that praises and reflects on a subject.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and sensory details evoke strong visual and tactile sensations, typical of imagist poetry.
- Romanticism — The celebration of beauty and the emotional response to everyday objects align with Romantic themes.
Tags
Poetry · Love · Appreciation · Materialism · Humor · Whimsy · Nostalgia · Intimacy · Domesticity · Everyday Life · Celebration · Sensuality
What this Textopian page supports
Ode to a Pair of Socks is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1954 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: 1954 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Ode, Imagism, Romanticism, Contemporary Literature
- Length: 228 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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