Ode To Age Poem by Pablo Neruda

Ode To Age

Rating: 4.5


I don't believe in age.
All old people
carry
in their eyes,
a child,
and children,
at times
observe us with the
eyes of wise ancients.
Shall we measure
life
in meters or kilometers
or months?
How far since you were born?
How long
must you wander
until
like all men
instead of walking on its surface
we rest below the earth?
To the man, to the woman
who utilized their
energies, goodness, strength,
anger, love, tenderness,
to those who truly
alive
flowered,
and in their sensuality matured,
let us not apply
the measure
of a time
that may be
something else, a mineral
mantle, a solar
bird, a flower,
something, maybe,
but not a measure.
Time, metal
or bird, long
petiolate flower,
stretch
through
man's life,
shower him
with blossoms
and with
bright
water
or with hidden sun.
I proclaim you
road,
not shroud,
a pristine
ladder
with treads
of air,
a suit lovingly
renewed
through springtimes
around the world.
Now,
time, I roll you up,
I deposit you in my
bait box
and I am off to fish
with your long line
the fishes of the dawn!

translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden

Thursday, May 14, 2015
Topic(s) of this poem: age
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Soul Watcher 07 August 2015

Interesting, how come nobody's commented on this great poem! !

4 6 Reply
Thomas Case 02 December 2015

excellent poem...time isn't the measure, experience is.

6 3 Reply
M Asim Nehal 30 September 2015

Very well written....I liked it.

6 2 Reply
Indira Renganathan 12 November 2016

I don't believe in age. All old people carry in their eyes, a child, and children, at times observe us with the eyes of wise ancients...the poem ens there...the rest seems to be its aggrandizement...an excellent poem- 10

4 3 Reply

Shall we measure life in meters or kilometers or months? How far since you were born? How long these lines are as like the words of poet kalil Gibran what is this life? a minute in infinity in tamil இந்த வாழ்க்கை என்பது என்ன? முடிவின்மையில் ஒரு நொடிதானே?

1 2 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 28 November 2020

A poem well built with poetic calibre, deep introspection and humane approach to the human life with reference to age, a relative factor. Thanks poet.

0 0 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 12 April 2020

Now, time, I roll you up, I deposit you in my bait box and I am off to fish with your long line the fishes of the dawn! fishes of the dawn, fine expressions. tony

0 0 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 03 July 2019

How far since you were born? How long must you wander until like all men instead of walking on its surface we rest below the earth? Beatiful, simply beautiful. tony

0 2 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 12 April 2019

Great poem.. the thinking, the poetic philosophy. tony

0 2 Reply
Mama Babs 30 June 2018

Who can write like Neruda! Maybe my daughter Joyce! She’s OUR poet extrodinaire, ❤️😇

0 5 Reply
Close
Error Success