Monday, May 12, 2008

Ode to Tomatoes

Ode to Tomatoes
The street
filled with tomatoes,
midday,
summer,
light is
halved
like
at
omato,
its juice
runs
through the streets.
In December,
unabated,
the tomato
invades
the kitchen,
it enters at lunchtime,
takes
its ease
on countertops,
among glasses,
butter dishes,
blue saltcellars.
It sheds its own light,
benign majesty.
Unfortunately, we must
murder it:
the knife
sinks
into living flesh,
red
viscera,
a cool
sun,
profound,
inexhaustible,
populates the salads
of Chile,
happily, it is wed
to the clear onion,
and to celebrate the
union
we
pour
oil,
essential
child of the olive,
onto its halved
hemispheres,
pepper
adds its fragrance,
salt, its magnetism;
it is the wedding
of the day,
parsley
hoists
its flag,
potatoes
bubble vigorously,
the aroma
of the roast
knocks
at the door,
it's time!
come on!
and, on
the table, at the midpoint
of summer,
the tomato,
star of earth,
recurrent
and fertile
star,
displays
its convolutions,
its canals,
its remarkable amplitude
and abundance,
no pit,
no husk,
no leaves or thorns,
the tomato offers
its gift
of fiery color
and cool completeness.
~ Pablo Neruda

14 comments:

Ailin said...

OH what a beautiful poem!! I absolutely loved it! Thank you for sharing. I love Pablo Neruda, such an amazing poet.

Johannah said...

Can't wait to plant some cherry tomato plants. Mmmmm.

mansuetude said...

wow i love this (i was going to suggest maybe take out the Murder it line, and then it was Neruda...ooohhh) are those his line breaks? Its delicious. :) what book is this in, if in a book?

Chandan said...

oh Neruda....
Love the luscious tomatoes.

Anonymous said...

goodness you take many lovely photographs! and blogs.... blogs for every aspect of life! i have enjoyed it all and especially your beautiful photos of everyday life. thank you :)
your friend, bird tweet robin from down the road

pRiyA said...

words fail me...

famapa said...

I just came across your blog and and it made my stomach feel all warm, the beauty of your pictures... wow! I'm so happy I came over, I'll enjoy following your everyday life with all it's riches.

Lucky said...

I LOVE TOMATOES SO MUCH! just had some heirloom varieties last nite for dinner - so sweet and flavorful :)

thanks for the poem.

Anonymous said...

hey archana,

There is a little something for you...please do drop by at my blog

Lady Prism said...

Ah'..if only life would be like a smooth sweet tomato...

Yoli said...

Pass me the tomato I am hungry!!! Beautiful.

Alessandra Cave said...

I loved your poem! Coincidently have an ode to the tomato as well! Here ~
Nice to catch up on your beautiful colors!

P said...

I love this poem (and this blog!). So happy I found you...you made my day.

Molly said...

I love Pablo Neruda and his simple odes.