The Ship by Pablo Neruda (1966)

Name: The Ship
Author: Pablo Neruda

The poem is a metaphorical and introspective exploration of the speaker's emotional state, likening their inner world to a ship navigating through turbulent seas. The speaker describes feelings of isolation, disconnection, and longing, using nautical imagery to convey the sense of being adrift in life.

By Pablo Neruda · First published 1966 · Genre: Poetry, Existentialism, Surrealism · 229 words

First lines

We walked and climbed: the world was a parched noon, the air didn't tremble, the leaves didn't exist, the water was far away.

The boat or prow then rose from the deserts and sailed towards the sky: a point of stone guided towards the unbearable infinity, a closed palace for the lost gods.

And there was the prow, the arrow, the ship or dreadful tower, and for the toiling, the thirsty, the dusty, the sweating race of man that climbed the difficult hills, neither water nor bread nor pasture, only a large rock that rose, only a stubborn boat of stone and music.

For how long? I cried out, we shouted.

What this Textopian page supports

The Ship 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, Existentialism, Surrealism, Philosophical Literature, Symbolism
Length: 229 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work employs lyrical language, imagery, and metaphor typical of poetry, focusing on emotional and philosophical themes.
Existentialism — The themes explore human existence, suffering, and the search for meaning in a harsh, indifferent world.
Surrealism — The imagery and abstract concepts reflect surrealist elements, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
Philosophical Literature — The text engages with deep philosophical questions about life, death, and the human condition.