The Ghost of the Cargo Boat
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The speaker describes a cargo boat that has arrived at a port, but instead of focusing on the cargo, they are reminded of their past love who has departed. The poem uses imagery and metaphor to convey the sense of loss and yearning.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 2007 · Genre: Poetry, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction · 605 words
First lines
Distance sheltered upon tubes of foam, salt in ritual waves and defined orders, and the smell and murmur of an old ship, of rotten planks and broken tools, and weary machines that howl and weep, pushing the prow, kicking the sides, chewing laments, swallowing, swallowing distances, making a noise of bitter waters upon the bitter waters, moving the ancient ship upon the ancient waters.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ghost of the Cargo Boat is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 2007 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: 2007 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Surrealism
- Length: 605 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Similar titles
- When Spirits Speak Of Life by Maxwell Bodenheim
- Doctor Francia by Pablo Neruda
- Revile The Acrobat by Maxwell Bodenheim
- The Little Chair by John Gould Fletcher
- The Owlet by Madison Cawein
- A Star In A Stone Boat by Robert Frost
Genres
- Poetry — The work employs rich imagery, metaphor, and lyrical language characteristic of poetry.
- Magical Realism — The presence of a ghost and the blending of the supernatural with the mundane reflect elements of magical realism.
- Literary Fiction — The focus on deep themes, character introspection, and stylistic prose aligns with literary fiction.
- Gothic Fiction — The eerie atmosphere and themes of death and the supernatural suggest elements of gothic fiction.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Maritime · Supernatural · Ghost Story · Nautical · Sea Voyage · Mystery · Suspense · Folklore · Mythology · Legends
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