A Valentine

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose or topaz
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved.
in secret. between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers.
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance.
then from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this. where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Pablo Nerudo