NIGHT ON THE ISLAND – Poetry by Pablo Neruda

LA NOCHE EN LA ISLA > Toda la noche he dormido contigo junto al mar en la isla. Salvaje y dulce eras entre el placer y el sueño, entre el fuego y el agua. Tal vez muy tarde nuestros sueños se unieron en lo alto o en el fondo, arriba como ramas que un mismo viento mueve, abajo como rojas raíces que se tocan. Tal vez tu sueño se separó del mío, y por el mar oscuro me buscaba como antes cuando aún no existías, cuando sin divisarte navegué por tu lado, y tus ojos buscaban lo que ahora (pan, vino, amor y cólera), te doy a manos llenas porque tú eres la copa que esperaba los dones de mi vida. He dormido contigo toda la noche mientras la oscura tierra gira con vivos y con muertos, y al despertar de pronto en medio de la sombra mi brazo rodeaba tu cintura. Ni la noche, ni el sueño pudieron separarnos. He dormido contigo, y al despertar tu boca salida de tu sueño me dio el sabor de tierra, de agua marina, de algas, del fondo de tu vida, y recibí tu beso mojado por la aurora, como si me llegara del mar que nos rodea.

NIGHT ON THE ISLAND > All night I have slept with you next to the sea on the island. Wild and sweet you were between pleasure and sleep, between fire and water. Perhaps very late our dreams joined at the top or at the bottom, above like branches moved by a common wind, down below like red roots that touch. Perhaps your dream drifted from mine and through the dark sea was seeking me as before you existed, when without sighting you I sailed by your side, and your eyes sought what now (bread, wine, love and anger), I give you with both hands because you are the cup that was waiting for the gifts of my life. I slept with you all night while the dark earth spins with the living and the dead, and waking suddenly in the midst of the shadow my arm around your waist. Neither night nor sleep could separate us. I slept with you, and awaken your mouth from your dream gave me the taste of earth, sea water, seaweed background of your life, and I received your kiss moistened by the dawn as if it came to me from the sea that we surrounds.

(Pablo Neruda)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Poetry-Pablo-Neruda/dp/0374529604