Embark on a poetic journey with these 10 Spanish poems that will make you fall in love with Hispanic literature.

Poetry is an art form that transcends cultural boundaries, and Spanish poetry has long held a profound place in the literary world. With a rich history stretching back centuries, Spanish poets have crafted verses that stir emotions, explore profound themes, and ignite the imagination. 

In this blog post, we delve into the captivating realm of Spanish poetry and present ten popular poems that will leave you spellbound.

Spanish Poems + Translation

1. “Romance Sonámbulo” by Federico García Lorca

Federico García Lorca, one of Spain’s most celebrated poets, penned this mesmerizing poem. “Romance Sonámbulo” (Sleepwalking Ballad) depicts a passionate tale of love, tragedy, and destiny. Its vivid imagery and haunting rhythm convey a sense of surrealism that lingers long after reading.

Verde que te quiero verde.

Verde viento. Verdes ramas.

El barco sobre la mar

y el caballo en la montaña.

Con la sombra en la cintura

ella sueña en su baranda

verde carne, pelo verde,

con ojos de fría plata.

Verde que te quiero verde.

Bajo la luna gitana,

las cosas la están mirando

y ella no puede mirarlas.

Verde que te quiero verde.

Grandes estrellas de escarcha,

vienen con el pez de sombra

que abre el camino del alba.

La higuera frota su viento

con la lija de sus ramas,

y el monte, gato garduño,

eriza sus pitas agrias.

¿Pero quién vendrá? ¿Y por dónde…?

Ella sigue en su baranda,

verde carne, pelo verde,

soñando en la mar amarga.

. . .

Verde que te quiero verde.

Verde viento. Verdes ramas.

El barco sobre la mar

y el caballo en la montaña.

English Translation

Green, how I want you, green.

Green wind. Green branches.

The ship on the sea

and the horse on the mountain.

With the shadow at her waist,

she dreams on her balcony,

green flesh, green hair,

with eyes of cold silver.

Green, how I want you, green.

Under the gypsy moon,

things are watching her

and she cannot see them.

Green, how I want you, green.

Large frost-covered stars

come with the fish of shadow

that opens the path of dawn.

The fig tree rubs its wind

against the roughness of its branches,

and the mountain, a cunning cat,

bristles its sour spines.

But who will come? And from where…?

She remains on her balcony,

green flesh, green hair,

dreaming of the bitter sea.

…

Green, how I want you, green.

Green wind. Green branches.

The ship on the sea

and the horse on the mountain.

2. “Rima XI” by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, a key figure of Spanish Romanticism, crafted this melancholic sonnet. In “Rima XI,” the poet explores themes of love and unrequited longing, weaving together delicate verses that evoke deep emotions and introspection.

—Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena,
yo soy el símbolo de la pasión,
de ansia de goces mi alma está llena.
¿A mí me buscas?
—No es a ti, no.

—Mi frente es pálida, mis trenzas de oro:
puedo brindarte dichas sin fin,
yo de ternuras guardo un tesoro.
¿A mí me llamas?
—No, no es a ti.

—Yo soy un sueño, un imposible,
vano fantasma de niebla y luz;
soy incorpórea, soy intangible:
no puedo amarte.
—¡Oh ven, ven tú!

English Translation

—I am ardent, I am dark-skinned,

I am the symbol of passion,

my soul is filled with longing for pleasures.

Are you looking for me?

—No, it’s not you.

—My forehead is pale, my tresses golden:

I can offer you endless joys,

I hold a treasure of tenderness.

Are you calling me?

—No, it’s not you.

—I am a dream, an impossibility,

a fleeting phantom of mist and light;

I am incorporeal, intangible:

I cannot love you.

—Oh, come, come then!

3. “Viento, agua, piedra”  by Octavio Paz

“Viento, agua, piedra” by Octavio Paz is a profound and contemplative poem that explores the interconnectedness of nature, time, and the human experience. Through the symbolic representation of wind, water, and stone, Paz delves into the existential themes of transience, transformation, and permanence, creating a thought-provoking meditation on the delicate balance between fleeting moments and enduring truths.

A Roger Caillois
El agua horada la piedra,
el viento dispersa el agua,
la piedra detiene al viento.
Agua, viento, piedra. 

El viento esculpe la piedra,
la piedra es copa del agua,
el agua escapa y es viento.
Piedra, viento, agua. 

El viento en sus giros canta,
el agua al andar murmura,
la piedra inmóvil se calla.
Viento, agua, piedra. 

Uno es otro y es ninguno:
entre sus nombres vacíos
pasan y se desvanecen
agua, piedra, viento. 

English Translation

For Roger Caillois
The water has hollowed the stone,
the wind dispersed the water,
the stone stopped the wind.
Water, wind, stone.

The wind sculpts the stone,
the stone is a cup of water,
the water runs off and is wind.
Stone, wind, water.

The wind sings in its turnings,
the water murmurs as it goes,
the immovable stone is quiet.
Wind, water, stone.

One is the other and is neither:
Among their empty names
they pass and disappear
water, stone, wind.

4. “Cultivo una rosa blanca” by José Martí

This Spanish poem by José Martí is a poignant and emblematic poem that speaks of the poet’s commitment to cultivating purity, truth, and freedom amidst a world tainted by deceit and oppression. Through the metaphor of a white rose, Martí encourages the reader to nurture virtues of honesty and integrity, striving for a better society where love and justice prevail. It serves as a call for personal and social transformation, reminding us of the enduring power of goodness and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Cultivo una rosa blanca
en junio como enero
para el amigo sincero
que me da su mano franca.

Y para el cruel que me arranca
el corazón con que vivo,
cardo ni ortiga cultivo;
cultivo la rosa blanca.

English Translation

I cultivate a white rose
in June and January
for the true friend
who gives me his sincere hand.

And for the cruel one who rips out
the heart with which I live,
I don’t cultivate the thistle or the nettle;
I cultivate the white rose.

5. “Peso ancestral” by Alfonsina Storni

Alfonsina Storni, an Argentine poet of Swiss and Italian descent, wrote this powerful poem that delves into the themes of societal expectations and the struggles faced by women. “Peso ancestral” (Ancestral Burden) challenges patriarchal norms and calls for women’s liberation.

Tú me dijiste: no lloró mi padre;

tú me dijiste: no lloró mi abuelo;

no han llorado los hombres de mi raza,

eran de acero.

Así diciendo te brotó una lágrima

y me cayó en la boca; más veneno

yo no he bebido nunca en otro vaso así pequeño.

Débil mujer, pobre mujer que entiende,

dolor de siglos conocí al beberlo.

Oh, el alma mía soportar no puede

todo su peso.

English Translation

You told me: my father did not cry;

you told me: my grandfather did not cry;

the men of my race did not shed tears,

they were made of steel.

While saying this, a tear sprouted from you

and fell into my mouth; more poison

I have never drunk from such a small glass.

Feeble woman, poor woman who understands,

I experienced the pain of centuries by drinking it.

Oh, my soul cannot bear

the weight of it all.

6. “Desde mi pequeña vida” by Margarita Carrera

“Desde mi pequeña vida” (From My Small Life) by Margarita Carrera is a concise and introspective poem that reflects on the poet’s personal perspective and experiences within the context of the larger world. It encapsulates the notion that even from a humble and seemingly insignificant existence, one can still find meaning, purpose, and a voice to express one’s thoughts and emotions.

Desde mi pequeña vida
te canto
hermano
y lloro tu sangre
por las calles derramada
y lloro tu cuerpo
y tu andar perdido.

Ahora estoy aquí
de nuevo contigo
hermano.
Tu sangre
es mi sangre
y tu grito se queda
en mis pupilas
en mi cantar mutilado. 

English Translation

From my small life
I sing to you
brother
and I cry your blood
shed in the streets
and I cry your body
and your lost walk.

Now I am here
again with you
brother.
Your blood
is my blood
and your scream stays
in my pupils
in my mutilated singing.

7. “Besos” by Gabriela Mistral

“Besos” (Kisses) by Gabriela Mistral is a tender and evocative poem that celebrates the power and beauty of kisses. Mistral captures the essence of love and affection through vivid imagery, depicting kisses as sacred and transformative acts that can heal wounds, ignite passion, and forge deep connections. The poem explores the universal and timeless nature of this intimate gesture, reminding us of the profound impact that simple expressions of love can have on our lives and relationships.

Hay besos que pronuncian por sí solos

la sentencia de amor condenatoria,

hay besos que se dan con la mirada,

hay besos que se dan con la memoria.

English Translation

There are kisses that announce for themselves

the sentence of condemnatory love,

there are kisses given with a glance

there are kisses given by memory.

8. “Soneto XVII” by Pablo Neruda

“Soneto XVII” (Sonnet XVII) by Pablo Neruda is a masterful and renowned love poem that beautifully captures the essence of love in its purest form. In this sonnet, Neruda expresses his adoration for his beloved with honesty and simplicity, portraying love as an imperfect and tangible experience. The poem embraces the flaws and imperfections of love, celebrating the uniqueness of the beloved and emphasizing the deep connection and profound emotions that love evokes.

No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal, topacio

o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego:

te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras,

secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma.

Te amo como la planta que no florece y lleva

dentro de sí, escondida, la luz de aquellas flores,

y gracias a tu amor vive oscuro en mi cuerpo

el apretado aroma que ascendió de la tierra.

Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde,

te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo:

así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera,

sino así de este modo en que no soy ni eres,

tan cerca que tu mano sobre mi pecho es mía,

tan cerca que se cierran tus ojos con mi sueño.

English Translation

I love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz,

or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:

I love you as certain dark things are loved,

secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn’t flower and carries

hidden within itself the light of those flowers,

and thanks to your love, darkly in my body

the tight aroma that arose from the earth lives on.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,

I love you directly without complexities or pride:

so I love you because I don’t know any other way to love,

except this way in which I am not nor are you,

so close that your hand on my chest is mine,

so close that your eyes close with my dreams.

9. “Amo, Amas” by Rubén Darío

This Spanish poem by Rubén Darío is a concise and playful poem that explores the nature of love and desire. Through witty wordplay and a whimsical tone, Darío presents a lighthearted examination of the various forms and expressions of love. The poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities and nuances of romantic relationships, highlighting the universal experiences of affection and longing.

Amar, amar, amar, amar siempre, con todo
el ser y con la tierra y con el cielo,
con lo claro del sol y lo oscuro del lodo;
amar por toda ciencia y amar por todo anhelo.

Y cuando la montaña de la vida
nos sea dura y larga y alta y llena de abismos,
amar la inmensidad que es de amor encendida
¡y arder en la fusión de nuestros pechos mismos!

English Translation

Loving, loving, loving, loving always, with everything
the being and with the earth and with the sky,
with the light of the sun and the dark of the mud;
love for all science and love for all desire.

And when the mountain of life
be hard and long and high and full of abysses,
love the immensity that is of love on
And burn in the fusion of our souls!

10. “Amistad” by Carlos Castro Saavedra

“Amistad” (Friendship) by Carlos Castro Saavedra is a heartfelt Spamisn poem that celebrates the essence and beauty of true friendship. In this poem, Saavedra explores the profound connection and support that friendship brings, emphasizing its ability to heal wounds, offer solace, and provide unwavering companionship. The poem encapsulates the depth of emotions and shared experiences that define authentic friendships, reminding us of the invaluable bonds we forge with those who walk beside us throughout our lives.

Amistad es lo mismo que una mano que en otra mano apoya su fatiga y siente que el cansancio se mitiga y el camino se vuelve más humano.

El amigo sincero es el hermano claro y elemental como la espiga, como el pan, como el sol, como la hormiga que confunde la miel con el verano.

Grande riqueza, dulce compañía es la del ser que llega con el día y aclara nuestras noches interiores.

Fuente de convivencia, de ternura, es la amistad que crece y se madura en medio de alegrías y dolores.

English Translation

Friendship is the same as a hand that supports its fatigue in another hand and feels that tiredness is mitigated and the path becomes more human.

The sincere friend is the clear and essential brother like the spike, like the bread, like the sun, like the ant that mistakes honey for summer.

Great wealth, sweet company is of the being that arrives with the day and brightens our inner nights.

Source of coexistence, of tenderness, is the friendship that grows and matures in the middle of joys and pains.

Recite Spanish Poems Today!

Spanish poems encompasses a vast array of themes, styles, and emotions, captivating readers with its lyrical beauty and thought-provoking verses. The 10 poems explored in this blog post offer a glimpse into the world of Spanish poetry, where passion, introspection, and social commentary intertwine. By delving into these masterpieces, readers can embark on a literary journey through the ages, immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of Spanish poetic tradition.

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