Up: The Ftrain Anthology of Poetry, 2002-2003

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How much happens in a day

By Neruda, Pablo

In the course of a day we shall meet one another....

In the course of a day we shall meet one another.

But, in one day, things spring to life -
they sell grapes in the street,
tomatoes change their skin,
the young girl you wanted
never came back to the office.

They changed the postman suddenly.
The letters now are not the same.
A few golden leaves and it's different;
this tree is now well off.

Who would have said that the earth
with its ancient skin would change so much?
It has more volcanoes than yesterday,
the sky has brand-new clouds,
the rivers are flowing differently.
Besides, so much has come into being!
I have inaugurated hundreds
of highways and buildings,
delicate, clean bridges
like ships or violins.

And so, when I greet you
and kiss your flowering mouth,
our kisses are other kisses,
our mouths are other mouths.

Joy, my love, joy in all things,
in what falls and what flourishes.

Joy in today and yesterday,
the day before and tomorrow.

Joy in bread and stone,
joy in fire and rain.

In what changes, is born, grows,
consumes itself, and becomes a kiss again.

Submitted by Victor Lombardi, who writes, “I obsessively read this book, Extravagaria, after a painful breakup with a woman I loved. But this poem goes beyond therapy and offers me something new each time I read it.”

And then, later, months later seeing that this piece was “Next Up,” Victor wrote: “I was happy I had the opportunity to donate. If it's not too late I'd love to sponsor one piece in particular, “How much happens in a day” for Sept 1.”

Thus I gladly and gratefully indicate that this piece was submitted by, and is sponsored by, the excellent Victor Lombardi, of NoiseBetweenStations.

And then, later, months later seeing that this piece was “Next Up,” Victor wrote: “I was happy I had the opportunity to donate. If it's not too late I'd love to sponsor one piece in particular, “How much happens in a day” for Sept 1.”

Thus I gladly and gratefully indicate that this piece was submitted by, and is sponsored by, the excellent Victor Lombardi, of NoiseBetweenStations.

Submitted by Victor Lombardi, who writes, “I obsessively read this book, Extravagaria, after a painful breakup with a woman I loved. But this poem goes beyond therapy and offers me something new each time I read it.”

And then, later, months later seeing that this piece was “Next Up,” Victor wrote: “I was happy I had the opportunity to donate. If it's not too late I'd love to sponsor one piece in particular, “How much happens in a day” for Sept 1.”

Thus I gladly and gratefully indicate that this piece was submitted by, and is sponsored by, the excellent Victor Lombardi, of NoiseBetweenStations.