Poem Analysis - If Your Eyes Were Not The Color Of The Moon

An Ode to All-Encompassing Love

Pablo Neruda’s "If Your Eyes Were Not The Color Of The Moon" is a passionate declaration of love, not based on superficial qualities, but on a profound connection to the earth and the essence of life itself. The poem begins with a series of hypothetical negatives, suggesting that love would be impossible without specific, deeply symbolic attributes in the beloved. The tone is initially speculative and conditional, before shifting to an affirmative and all-encompassing celebration of love and existence. The poem culminates in an understanding of the beloved as a microcosm of the entire universe.

Love Grounded in Earthly and Natural Imagery

One of the central themes of the poem is the concept of love as being intrinsically linked to the natural world. Neruda uses a wealth of imagery drawn from nature to describe the qualities he cherishes in his beloved. He mentions "the color of the moon," "a day full of clay, and work, and fire," "amber week," and "the yellow moment / when autumn climbs up through the vines." These images aren't just beautiful; they connect the beloved to fundamental elements of the earth and the cyclical nature of life. By emphasizing these earthly qualities, Neruda suggests that his love isn't based on fleeting beauty or superficial charm, but on something far deeper and more enduring. This connection underscores the idea that his love is as natural and essential as the elements he describes.

The Beloved as a Microcosm of Existence

The poem deeply explores the theme of the beloved as representing all of existence. The final stanza is a powerful assertion of this idea: "But when I hold you I hold everything that is - / sand, time, the tree of the rain." Neruda doesn't just love his beloved as an individual; he loves her as a representation of the universe itself. This elevates the personal experience of love to a universal one. The lines, "everything is alive so that I can be alive: / without moving I can see it all: / in your life I see everything that lives," emphasize the idea that the beloved's existence is intertwined with his own and with the existence of everything. She becomes a lens through which he can understand and appreciate the totality of life.

Symbolism of Natural Elements: Unveiling Layers of Meaning

Neruda uses symbols rich with meaning to describe his love. The "moon," initially mentioned in connection with the beloved's eyes, is a recurring symbol. Later, the "fragrant moon / kneads, sprinkling its flour across the sky," evokes ideas of creation, fertility, and the life-giving forces of nature. Clay symbolizes creation from Earth, while "fire" represents passion and transformation. "Autumn" might symbolize maturity and the beauty of change. The "tree of the rain" evokes growth, sustenance, and the life-giving power of water. All of these symbols combine to create a vivid portrait of the beloved as embodying the essential elements that sustain life and make it beautiful. Perhaps the "flour across the sky" represents the beauty that's available at night while the bread being kneaded signifies the labor needed to find that beauty. Neruda's careful selection of these specific images contributes to the poem's overall message of the profound connection between love and the natural world.

A Love That Defines Life Itself

In conclusion, "If Your Eyes Were Not The Color Of The Moon" is a profound celebration of love as a force inextricably linked to the natural world and the essence of existence. Neruda uses vivid imagery and symbolism to portray his beloved not just as an individual, but as a microcosm of the universe. The poem suggests that true love is not based on superficial qualities, but on a deep appreciation for the fundamental elements that sustain life. Ultimately, Neruda's poem reveals that to love his beloved is to embrace all that is, making his love not just personal, but a celebration of the very act of being alive.