Philosophy

The truth of the green tree

in spring and of Earth's crust

is proven beyond a doubt:

the planets nourish us

despite eruptions

and the sea offers us fish

despite her quaking:

we are slaves of the earth

that is also governess of air.

Walking around an orange

I spend more than one life

echoing the earth's sphere:

geography and ambrosia:

juices the color of hyacinth

and the white scent of woman

like blossoms of flour.

Nothing is gained by flying

to escape this globe

that trapped you at birth.

And we need to confess our hope

that understanding and love

come from below, climb

and grow inside us

like onions, like oak trees,

like tortoises or flowers,

like countries, like races,

like roads and destinations.

~Pablo Neruda