The lichen on the stone, mesh by Pablo Neruda
The poem explores the relationship between nature and human existence. The speaker describes a lichen growing on a stone, using imagery to convey the idea that even in harsh environments, life can thrive. The poem also touches on the theme of impermanence, suggesting that everything is subject to change and decay.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1973 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Symbolism · 103 words
First lines
The lichen on the stone, mesh of green elastic, enmeshes the primal hieroglyph, stretches the scripture of the sea around the round rock.
The sun reads it, barnacles fade it, and from stone to stone the fish slither by like shivers.
Silently the alphabet goes on spelling out its sunken syllables along the immaculate hip of the coast.
On his loom the moss weaver goes back and forth, higher and higher, carpeting the caverns of air and water so that no one dances but the wave and nothing follows but the wind.
What this Textopian page supports
The lichen on the stone, mesh is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1973 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: 1973 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Symbolism, Imagism, Philosophical Literature
- Length: 103 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The lichen on the stone, mesh 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
Similar titles
- But I Forgot That Your Hands Fed The Roots by Pablo Neruda
- Vegetation by Pablo Neruda
- Starfish by Pablo Neruda
- The Bull by Pablo Neruda
- Pottery Shop by Pablo Neruda
- Bread Poetry by Pablo Neruda
Genres
- Poetry — The work employs lyrical language, imagery, and metaphor typical of poetry.
- Nature Writing — The text focuses on natural elements and their interactions, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the environment.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols like lichen and stone conveys deeper meanings about existence and nature.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on precise visual descriptions align with the principles of Imagism.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Love · Eros · Desire · Passion · Intimacy · Sensuality · Earthiness
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