Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair

In Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, Pablo Neruda crafts a breathtaking and deeply evocative collection that delves into the raw, unfiltered emotions of love, desire, and heartache. With lyrical brilliance, Neruda captures the intoxicating joy of romantic connection and the piercing sorrow of its absence, creating a poetic journey that resonates with the universal experiences of longing and loss. Each poem pulses with visceral emotion, painting vivid portraits of fleeting intimacy, unrelenting yearning, and the profound ache of existential solitude.

Neruda’s masterful use of sensuous imagery and striking metaphor immerses readers in the tumultuous landscape of the human heart, where passion intertwines with melancholy. The collection is both a celebration of love’s transcendent power and a poignant acknowledgment of its fragility, offering a timeless meditation on the beauty and impermanence of human connection.

This special annotated edition enhances the reading experience with:

• An illuminating biography of Pablo Neruda, providing context for his life and literary legacy
• An annotated guide to Neruda’s other works, offering insights into his broader contributions to poetry

A cornerstone of love poetry, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair continues to enchant readers with its emotional intensity and haunting beauty. This beautifully curated edition invites both new and returning readers to explore Neruda’s timeless exploration of love, loss, and longing with fresh eyes and a deeper appreciation for his artistry. Whether you are discovering Neruda for the first time or revisiting his work, this edition promises a richer, more immersive journey into one of the most celebrated collections of 20th-century poetry.

About the author

Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) was a Chilean poet, diplomat, and politician, widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971, Neruda’s works, including The Captain's Verses, Canto General, and Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, have left an indelible mark on world literature, celebrated for their sensual lyricism, political depth, and profound exploration of human emotion.