I found out, one of my favorite poems ever was now public domain, and I just couldn’t wait to give it a try. The poem is ‘Me gusta cuando callas/I like for you to be still’ by Chilean writer and politician Pablo Neruda; from his poemary ” Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada/20 love poems and a song of despair”.I have a knack for melancholy and silence, I find that there is beauty within it, Neruda knew this best. I hope I did this beautiful piece of literary air some justice—or at least breathe new air into it. Enjoy!

Me Gusta Cuando Callas/I like for you to be still
Written by Pablo Neruda & performed by COFFEEEUROPE

I like for you to be still
It is as though you are absent
And you hear me from far away
And my voice does not touch you
It seems as though your eyes had flown away
And it seems that a kiss had sealed your mouth
As all things are filled with my soul
You emerge from the things
Filled with my soul
You are like my soul
A butterfly of dream
And you are like the word: Melancholy

I like for you to be still
And you seem far away
It sounds as though you are lamenting
A butterfly cooing like a dove
And you hear me from far away
And my voice does not reach you
Let me come to be still in your silence
And let me talk to you with your silence
That is bright as a lamp
Simple, as a ring
You are like the night
With its stillness and constellations
Your silence is that of a star
As remote and candid

I like for you to be still
It is as though you are absent
Distant and full of sorrow
So you would’ve died
One word then, One smile is enough
And I’m happy;
Happy that it’s not true