Meaning of I like you calm, as if you were absent by Pablo Neruda

The Elusive Beauty of Unrequited Love: Unpacking "I Like You Calm, as if You Were Absent" by Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda’s poem, "I Like You Calm, as if You Were Absent," is a poignant exploration of the human experience of unrequited love. The speaker’s words weave a complex tapestry of longing, admiration, and melancholy, as they yearn for a connection with someone who seems forever out of reach. In this article, we’ll delve into the meaning behind this evocative poem, examining the themes of distance, beauty, and the transformative power of love.

A Yearning for Connection

The poem begins by establishing the speaker’s sense of distance from the beloved. "I like you calm, as if you were absent" – a phrase that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker longs for a connection that seems impossible, their voice struggling to reach the other person. This sense of distance is reinforced by the image of the person’s eyelids taking flight, as if they are already somewhere else, and their mouth being sealed by a kiss, implying a kind of otherworldly detachment. This opening stanza sets the stage for the speaker’s existential crisis, as they grapple with the abyss between their own emotions and the unattainable beloved.

The Calm and the Starlit Night

The poem’s second stanza introduces the person as a source of comfort, their calmness and serenity having a profound effect on the speaker. "You bring forth my spirit, and you are the embodiment of my soul" – a statement that underscores the transformative power of love. The beloved is likened to the dreams of a butterfly and the word of sadness, which, while fragile and melancholic, also hold a deep beauty. The speaker finds solace in this calmness, which becomes a beacon of hope in the darkness of their unrequited love.

The Elusive Beauty of Distance

The third stanza returns to the theme of distance, with the person now described as a soft cooing sound, a moaning that echoes through the speaker’s mind. "My voice does not reach you, my words are lost in your silence" – a poignant acknowledgment of the chasm between the speaker’s emotions and the beloved’s emotional distance. The speaker’s desire for connection becomes all the more urgent, as they yearn for a deeper understanding and intimacy with the person. In this moment, the beloved becomes a symbol of beauty and tranquility, like a calm and starlit night, their silence a testament to the profound emotions that lie beneath.

A Bittersweet Appreciation

The final stanzas of the poem are a poignant expression of the speaker’s acceptance of their situation. "Even a small gesture, a single word, a smile, would be enough to evoke profound emotions in me" – a statement that underscores the bittersweet nature of their love. The speaker knows that their desire for connection is impossible, and yet they cannot help but cherish the moments they share with the beloved. This mixture of thrill and sadness becomes a testament to the human experience of unrequited love, a bittersweet beauty that we cannot help but appreciate.

A Personal Reflection

For me, this poem is a powerful reminder of the complexities of love and human connection. I recall listening to this poem for the first time, feeling as though the speaker’s emotions were speaking directly to my own experiences of unrequited love. The sense of distance, the yearning for connection, the bittersweet beauty of it all – it all resonated deeply with me. As I listened, I felt a sense of catharsis, as if the poem was offering me a glimpse into a world where love was both elusive and transformative.

Conclusion

"I Like You Calm, as if You Were Absent" by Pablo Neruda is a masterpiece of poetic expression, a nuanced exploration of the human experience of unrequited love. The speaker’s words weave a complex tapestry of longing, admiration, and melancholy, as they yearn for a connection that seems forever out of reach. As we reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the transformative power of love, the bittersweet beauty of unrequited love, and the profound impact that someone’s presence, even from a distance, can have on our emotions.

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