Sonnet XVII: Pablo Neruda | A LOVE POEM

A client gave this to me and while she read it to her husband in my office I burst into tears!! It was a beautifully worded piece and wanted to share it with you all.

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of
carnations the first shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be
loved.
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as
the plant that never blooms
but carries itself the light of hidden
flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the
earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or
when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or
pride;
So I love you because I know no other way.

but this,
where I do not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my
hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

I just loved it as it reflects the darkness that turns into light for our couples. It certainly has happened for Mike and me. This really spoke to me.