环球英语 09 Spanish Language Poet Pablo Neruda

　　Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for Spotlight¹! I’m Rebekah Schipper.
Voice 2
And I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 3
It is Born
“Here I came to the very edge²
where nothing at all needs saying,
everything is absorbed* through weather and the sea,
and the moon swam back,
its rays* all silvered,
and time and again the darkness would be broken
by the crash of a wave,
and every day on the balcony* of the sea,
wings open, fire is born,
and everything is blue again, like morning.”
[Pablo Neruda; translated by Alastair Reed]
Voice 2
What did you think of when you heard this poem? Could you hear the waves crashing against the sandy shore? Could you see the silver moon? Could you see the beautiful blue colour it speaks of? This poem talks about the birth of fire. Could you imagine fire being born on the sea?
Voice 1
This poem is by a man named Pablo Neruda. He was a Spanish language poet from Chile. Neruda wrote many poems. Some were poems about history. Sometimes a historical³ poem told a very long story. Sometimes it demanded change in society. Neruda was also very interested in politics⁴. So, he wrote poems about politics. He wrote emotional⁵ and sexual⁶ love poems. They were very popular. And he also wrote poems about common things in life - like nature and the sea.
Today’s Spotlight is on the life and poems of Pablo Neruda.
Voice 2
Pablo Neruda was born in 1904, in Chile. Even as a young boy, he was always interested in literature and writing. In fact, he started writing poetry when he was only ten [10] years old. A local daily newspaper first published Neruda’s writing. He was only thirteen [13] years old!
Voice 1
In 1920, he began to use a pseudonym⁷, or false name, in his writing. You see, Pablo Neruda was born as Ricardo Eliecer Neftal? Reyes Basoalto. But Neruda’s father did not approve of his son’s writing. So, Neruda used a false name to hide his writing from his family. He had great respect for a Czech writer named Jan Neruda. So, he used part of her name in his new name.
Voice 2
In 1923 Neruda published his first set of poems. It was called “Book of Twilights” [“Crepusculario”]. And in 1924, Neruda published his second set of poems. It was called “Twenty Love Poems And A Song of Despair” [“Veinte poemas de amor y una conci?n desesperada”]. Some people thought these poems were too erotic, or sexual. But they were very popular. Here is part of one of the poems.
Voice 3
“I can write the saddest lines tonight.
Write for example: ‘The night is (broken)
and the stars, blue, shiver* in the distance’
...
On nights like these I held her in my arms
I kissed her so many times under the (endless) sky.
...
I can write the saddest lines tonight.
To think I (do not) have her, to feel I have lost her.
...”
[Pablo Neruda; Excerpt⁸ from “From - Twenty Poems of Love”]
Voice 1
Each book was translated into many languages. And they remain popular even today! People all around the world have bought over a million [1,000,000] copies of “Twenty Love Songs And A Song of Despair” since it first appeared.
Voice 2
During his life, Neruda travelled all around the world. He lived in other countries as a representative⁹ for Chile. He worked for the government to earn money. But he also continued writing. And he experimented with different kinds of poetry.
Voice 1
During the 1930’s, Neruda was working in Spain. Spain was experiencing a civil war. Neruda saw the effects of war there. The people had suffered. It was at this time that he became very interested in politics. He writes:
Voice 3
“...
Then one morning flames*
Came out of the ground
(Eating) human beings.
From then on fire,
Gunpowder¹⁰ from then on,
From then on blood.
...
I have seen the blood
of Spain rise up against you
to drown you in a single wave
of pride and knives!
...
Come
See the blood along the streets
Come see
The blood along the streets
Come see the blood
Along the streets!”
[Pablo Neruda; Excerpt from “I’ll Explain Some Things”]
Voice 2
When Neruda began writing, his poems were about many different things. But now, his poetry turned toward¹¹ more political¹² subjects.
Voice 1
One of Neruda’s most famous and political poems is called “Canto¹³ General,” or “General Song.” It was made up of almost two hundred fifty [250] poems in fifteen [15] different parts. It told about much of South American history. It even told about the land and plants. But most of all “Canto General” demanded social justice for all people. It was translated into many different languages. And it is one of Neruda’s finest works¹⁴.
Voice 2
One of the poems of “Canto General” is called “Alturas de Macchu Picchu,” or “The Heights of Macchu Picchu.” In 1943 Neruda went to Peru¹⁵. There he saw the ancient Incan remains¹⁶ of Macchu Picchu. He felt encouraged to write a poem about the place. The poem was made up of twelve [12] different parts. In the poem, he wrote about the beauty of the remains. But he also told of the slaves¹⁷ that helped to build the structure¹⁸. In the poem, Neruda invited the dead slaves to come back to life. He said that he would be their voice.
Voice 3
“I come to speak for your dead mouths.
Throughout¹⁹ the earth
let dead lips* (come together)
...
And tell me everything, tell chain by chain,
and link by link, and step by step;
...
Speak through my speech, and through my blood.”
[Pablo Neruda; Excerpt from Canto XII from “The Heights of Macchu Picchu”]
Voice 2
This poem also encouraged interest in the ancient people of South America - like the Incans.
Voice 1
In 1971 Neruda won the Nobel Prize for writing. Some people debated if he should win. They did not agree with his political beliefs. And the government of Chile did not always like his work and ideas. But other people worked hard to make sure Neruda received the award. They believed his writing was special.
Voice 2
Neruda retired²⁰ to “Casa de Isle²¹ Negra,” his house on the Black Island. He loved this home because he loved the sea. This is where he wrote the poem we read in the beginning of this program - “It is Born.” He died of leukaemia in 1973. But his poetry still lives. People visit Casa de Isle Negra every year.
Voice 1
Over the years, Neruda’s poetry has inspired many people. He used his ability to write and improve people’s lives.
Voice 3
“And it was at that age ... Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don’t know. I don’t know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don’t know how or when,
no, they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was (called),
from the branches of night
(suddenly) from the others,
among violent²² fires
or returning along,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.
...”
[Pablo Neruda; Excerpt from “Poetry.”]
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 edge   

n.边(缘)；刃；优势；v.侧着移动，徐徐移动

参考例句：

• Sight along the edge to see if it's straight.顺着边目测，看看直不直。
• She lived on the extreme edge of the forest.她住在森林的最边缘。

3 historical   

adj.历史的，史实的，历史上的

参考例句：

• The book is based on historical events.这本书是根据历史事件写成的。
• We have shared the same historical experiences.咱们有着共同的历史遭遇。

4 politics   

n.政治，政治学；政纲，政见，策略

参考例句：

• They seldom talk on politics in those days.那时人们很少谈论政治。
• The two brothers differed about politics.这兄弟俩政见不同。

5 emotional   

adj.令人动情的；易动感情的；感情(上)的

参考例句：

• Emotional people don't stop to calculate.感情容易冲动的人做事往往不加考虑。
• This is an emotional scene in the play.这是剧中动人的一幕。

6 sexual   

adj.性的，两性的，性别的

参考例句：

• He was a person of gross sexual appetites.他是个性欲旺盛的人。
• It is socially irresponsible to refuse young people advice on sexual matters.拒绝向年轻人提供性方面的建议是对社会不负责任。

7 pseudonym   

n.假名，笔名

参考例句：

• Eric Blair wrote under the pseudonym of George Orwell.埃里克·布莱尔用乔治·奧威尔这个笔名写作。
• Both plays were published under the pseudonym of Philip Dayre.两个剧本都是以菲利普·戴尔的笔名出版的。

8 excerpt   

n.摘录，选录，节录

参考例句：

• This is an excerpt from a novel.这是一部小说的摘录。
• Can you excerpt something from the newspaper? 你能从报纸上选录些东西吗？

9 representative   

n.代表，众议员，典型；adj.描写的，表现的，代理的，代表性的，代议制的，典型的

参考例句：

• He is a representative for a large steel company.他是一家大型钢铁公司的代理人。
• We have a representative sample.我们有一个代表性的样品。

10 gunpowder   

n.火药

参考例句：

• Gunpowder was introduced into Europe during the first half of the 14th century.在14世纪上半叶，火药传入欧洲。
• This statement has a strong smell of gunpowder.这是一篇充满火药味的声明。

11 toward   

prep.对于，关于，接近，将近，向，朝

参考例句：

• Suddenly I saw a tall figure approaching toward the policeman.突然间我看到一个高大的身影朝警察靠近。
• Upon seeing her,I smiled and ran toward her. 看到她我笑了，并跑了过去。

12 political   

adj.政治上的，政党的，政略性的，政治的

参考例句：

• He was forced to leave his homeland for political reasons.因为政治原因他被迫离开自己的祖国。
• In ideas those two political parties are worlds apart.那两个政党在思想上有巨大分歧。

13 canto   

n.长篇诗的章

参考例句：

• It's the fourth canto of Byron's "Childe Harold".这是拜伦长诗《恰尔德·哈罗尔德游记》的第四章。
• The Fifth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam tells of innumerable universes.《圣典博伽瓦谭》第五篇讲述了有无数宇宙存在。

14 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

15 Peru   

n.秘鲁(南美洲国家)

参考例句：

• Lima is the capital of peru.利马是秘鲁的首都。
• China and peru are friendly countries.中国和秘鲁是友好国家。

16 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

17 slaves   

n.奴隶( slave的名词复数 )；苦工；完全受（某事物）控制的人；完全依赖（某事物）的人v.奴隶般地工作，做苦工( slave的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Slaves were not emancipated until 1863 in the United States. 美国奴隶直到1863年才获得自由。
• fashionistas who are slaves to the latest trends 被潮流牵着鼻子走的赶时髦者

18 structure   

n.结构，构造，建筑物；v.构成；

参考例句：

• Doctors study the structure of the human body.医生研究人体构造。
• A flower has quite a complicated structure.一朵花的结构相当复杂。

19 throughout   

adv.到处，自始至终；prep.遍及，贯穿

参考例句：

• These magazines are sold at bookstores throughout the country.这些杂志在全国各地书店均有发售。
• Guilin is known throughout the world for its scenery.桂林以山水著称于世。

20 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

21 isle   

n.小岛，岛

参考例句：

• He is from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.他来自爱尔兰海的马恩岛。
• The boat left for the paradise isle of Bali.小船驶向天堂一般的巴厘岛。

22 violent   

adj.暴力的，猛烈的，激烈的，极端的，凶暴的，歪曲的

参考例句：

• The madman was violent and had to be locked up.这个精神病患者很凶暴，不得不把他锁起来。
• They caught him and gave him a violent beating.他们抓住了他，把他狠狠打了一顿。