I purchased my copy of The Poems of Pablo Neruda in college. Since then, I picked it up every once in a while. Thumb through its pages. And read where my finger lands. It’s not always an English translation, but that’s not far away if I need or want to read it.

And in my broken Spanish, I recite his words. And fall in love with the way he used the language.

Today I present to you two versions of the same poem. In the original Spanish and the translation by W. S. Merwin. Please enjoy.

Déjame que te hable también con tu silencio
claro como una lámpara, simple como un anillo.
Eres como la noche, callada y constelada.
Tu silencio es de estrella, tan lejano y sencillo.

from The Poetry of Pablo Neruda

And let me talk to you with your silence
that is bright as a lamp, simple as a ring.
You are like the night, with its stillness and constallations.
Your silence is that of a star, as remote and candid.

from The Poetry of Pablo Neruda