Imagery employed by a poet brings to the reader a sensory
experience. Pablo Neruda’s “Every Day You Play” depends on his word images to explain the
relationship that he describes. Neruda was known for his great love affairs; in addition, he had
three wives. He never stayed too long in one place or with one
person.
There are many images in the poem. We will pick out the main
one in each stanza. The pictures that the poet paints describe an intense love
affair:
1st
stanza
The poet emphasizes the expression
every day because he repeats it in the same stanza. Each day, he holds the
head of his lover between his hands like a cluster of grapes. Apparently, he looks at the face of
the woman he loves and holds her close to him.
2nd
stanza
He wants to take his lover and lay her among
yellow flowers that are strung like clusters. The poet sees her name written in smoke among the
southern stars at night.
3rd
stanza
A sudden storm comes up with the wind beating
and banging against his window. The sky is compared to a net full of fish that are difficult to
see. The image of the rain taking off the clothes of the woman probably implies that the wet
clothing reveals the body almost as much as taking off the clothes and probably is more
sensual.
4th
stanza
Neither the birds nor the poet can fight the
wind. The poet can fight other men. When the storm blows, the dark leaves spin; and the wind
breaks the boats free that were moored.
5th
stanza
He asks the lover to hold tight to him. At one
time, he saw a strange look [shadow] in her eyes.
6th
stanza
The wind sadly kills the butterflies by
tearing their wings off. He tells her that he loves her; because of his strong emotional tie to
the lover, he compares her mouth to a plum that he would like to eat
into.
7th
stanza
Many times, the two of them have awakened to
the morning sun shining [kissing] their eyes. Over their heads, the ceiling fans give a light
breeze.
8th
stanza
His words pour [rained/reigned]
over her, soothing [stroking] her.
He has loved her beautiful, white
body for a long time.
I go so far as to think that you own the
universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark
hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I
want
to do with you what spring does with the cherry
trees.
The cherry trees
bloom in the spring for about a week or two at the most. Then, the blossoms are gone and give way
to the buds that will become the luscious cherries.
It is a lovely
phrase which might be taken more than one way. The poet will leave her in the spring. Like the
blooms, he will go from her. Another interpretation might be that he will plant a seed in her in
spring; then, she will blossom with the bud [baby].
The images add
different nuances to this interesting and thought provoking love poem.
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