Nobody keeps any of what he has, and life is only a borrowing of bones.
—Pablo Neruda, “October Fullness,” trans. Alistair Reid
And if we can keep nothing of what we have
then let us love more right now. Naked as sunlight
and unapologetic as ripe apples. Let’s invent
new compassions and conjure new kindnesses
out of what seems to be dust.
And if life is only a borrowing of bones,
then let us use them well while we may.
Just today I ran through the corn maze
and marveled at the joy of being lost.
Bless these borrowed femurs and spines.
Bless these borrowed skulls.
And let us love more right now.
Though the forecast is for loss.
“unapologetic as ripe apples”…!
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Ah, that last line is so good.
it’s funny, I didn’t want to end on the loss. But the poem insisted on it. So I am especially glad to have you comment on that. sigh … oh the longing to override–and the affirmation that the poem knows best. xo
And, what of love? Is it also only borrowed? That asked, I can see going with the argument of our not being able to keep it. I would counter-argue, however, that love does keeps us.
amen to that! Love does keep us–
I just love these lines so much:
“Bless these borrowed femurs and spines.
Bless these borrowed skulls.
And let us love more right now.
Though the forecast is for loss.”
Yes, let’s enjoy this life right now even though there is so much pointing to the negative. I know the poem ends in loss, but these lines make me think we should dance in spite of that. 🙂
Tessa
tessa, thank you for this comment … yes. it’s funny how the poem ended. I was aware that some part of me really didn’t want to end on the loss, but the poem wrestled me down and insisted on it! And yet, yes, yes, yes to the dancing. hugs to you!