Puerto Rico, Puerto Pobre
The poem is a lamentation of the poverty and exploitation suffered by Puerto Rico under US colonial rule. It describes the island's natural beauty and rich resources, but also its people's struggles with hunger, disease, and oppression. The speaker expresses anger and frustration at the situation, calling for resistance and rebellion against the colonizers.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1966 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Literature · 175 words
First lines
It is late, at this stage, for a beginning, nevertheless this is my feeling: here as in other times I come forth to sing or to die: here I begin.
And there is no power that can silence me except the sad magnitude of time and of its ally: death with its plow for the farming of bones.
What this Textopian page supports
Puerto Rico, Puerto Pobre is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1966 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: 1966 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Literature, Literary Fiction, Existential Literature
- Length: 175 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Puerto Rico, Puerto Pobre 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 Puerto Rico, Puerto Pobre?
- How does this poem by Pablo Neruda fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is characterized by its lyrical and expressive language, typical of Neruda's poetic style.
- Social Commentary — The themes address social issues, poverty, and the struggles of Puerto Rico, reflecting on the island's socio-political context.
- Political Literature — The text critiques colonialism and oppression, highlighting the political struggles faced by Puerto Rico.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative employs rich imagery and metaphor, typical of literary fiction, to convey deeper meanings.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Social Commentary · Economic Inequality · Political Critique · Colonialism · Imperialism · National Identity · Cultural Heritage · Socioeconomic Conditions · Island Life · Caribbean Culture
More by Pablo Neruda
- Body of a Woman (1959)
- The Light Wraps You (1954)
- Ah Vastness of Pines (1975)
- The Morning Is Full (1954)
- So That You Will Hear Me (1976)
- I Remember You As You Were (1952)
- Leaning Into The Afternoons Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets towards your oceanic eyes (1954)
- White Bee (1974)
- All works by Pablo Neruda