“Tell me, is the rose nakedor is that her only dress?”
– Pablo Neruda
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Just a little something for you to ponder on a Friday night in February.
Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He wrote spectacular love poems and simple humorous odes, as well as political and historical poetry. He’s been one of my favorites since college, and I remember his poetry as being among the first that I could enjoy without the benefit of a bilingual dictionary. The snippet of a poem above comes from one of the last works before his death in 1973 callled, “A Book of Questions”.
That’s an interesting poem Laura – I like it very much, and the photo is gorgeous, too!
Oh, you got ahold of the Book of Questions! Delightful, isn’t it?
Did you take the picture? If so it is beautiful.
I love the photo and wonderful poem! Great job!
Yes – my pic! My pic! Finally one that I like with the macro lens.
Dave: I haven’t ordered it yet, but there’s an Xmas gift card just waiting to be used.
I was suprised to find a few Neruda anthologies here that I forgot I ever bought. Doesn’t say much for the organization of my bookshelves – I keep most of my Spanish stuff in its own case, but these were out on the porch mixed in with the other poetry.
Ok, you answered my question. I thought that photo came from a publication or something.
That photo is stunning, Laura. And the poem describes it so well.
Keep working with that lens!
The Rose is dressed in her best, until she becomes the rosehip.
Iteresting conundrum though.
Beautiful macro photo of the rose. I’ve always enjoyed Neruda’s odes.
Thank goodness you used Pablo Neruda rather than Getrude Stein. Her “rose is a rose is a rose” always seemed pallid.
I too love the rose shot–buttery creamy upclose.
Now you inspire me to learn how to use my camera’s macro settings.
Any help?
Oh Laura… just exquisite, simply exquisite!
Lovely rose, looks like butter curls.
Quite a beautiful and sensual image. What a lovely Neruda poem too. I tend to forget him, when I am looking for poems to read, so it’s nice to be reminded of his incredibly beautiful voice.
Mary: Yes, I need lots of practice! The valentine’s bouguet was a good excuse.
celebrin: It is an interesting conundrum.
Bev: Thanks – I think we all tend to start with roses, right? If you can’t get a nice pic of a rose, maybe there’s no hope.
Kgmom: I would love to help, but I’m just learning myself! I take lots and lots of pics and hope for one nice one.
Jayne: Thanks!
Lynne: I think the longer you look at it, the more things you can imagine seeing in there.
Robin Andrea: Thank you! This rose is really white, but the dining room light and the flash or something made it look this creamy color.