Pastoral by Pablo Neruda (1958)

Name: Pastoral
Author: Pablo Neruda

The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the speaker's past, focusing on their childhood and adolescence. It explores themes of love, loss, and longing, with vivid descriptions of nature and the passing of time. The speaker's tone is introspective and contemplative, evoking a sense of nostalgia and wistfulness.

By Pablo Neruda · First published 1958 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Pastoral Poetry, Nature Writing · 223 words

First lines

I copy out mountains, rivers, clouds.

I take my pen from my pocket. I note down a bird in its rising or a spider in its little silkworks.

Nothing else crosses my mind. I am air, clear air, where the wheat is waving, where a bird's flight moves me, the uncertain fall of a leaf, the globular eye of a fish unmoving in the lake, the statues sailing in the clouds, the intricate variations of the rain.

Nothing else crosses my mind except the transparency of summer. I sing only of the wind, and history passes in its carriage, collecting its shrouds and medals, and passes, and all I feel is rivers.

What this Textopian page supports

Pastoral is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1958 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: 1958 CE
Language: English
Genres: Lyric Poetry, Pastoral Poetry, Nature Writing, Modernist Poetry, Meditative Poetry
Length: 223 words
Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal expression and emotional depth, typical of lyric poetry.
Pastoral Poetry — The themes revolve around nature, rural life, and the simplicity of existence, aligning with pastoral traditions.
Nature Writing — The vivid descriptions of landscapes, flora, and fauna emphasize a deep connection to the natural world.
Modernist Poetry — The style reflects modernist elements through its focus on individual perception and fragmented imagery.