These poems integrate the wonder of a child with the experience of an lXĪdult. In The Book of Questions, Neruda achieves a deeper vulnerability and vision than in his earlier work. Neruda continued to challenge himself as a human being and an artist, until he became 'the astute hunter,' according to Marjorie Agosin, one who by vocation seeks 'the roots of belonging' wherever he finds himself. His imagination never surrendered to familiar patterns and, especially in the later poetry, rarely sought refuge in political or artistic programs. He also trusted the process of setting aside what he knew long enough to rediscover the secret in another cadence and through other eyes. From Crepusculario and Venture of the Infinite Man, two of his earliest and lesser known works, to the books that form this series of late and posthumous poetry, Neruda developed a radical trust in the quest to know himself. Neruda explored many schools of thought, poetic styles, and voices, but his passion lay in finding and improvising upon basic rhythms of perception to reveal unspoken and unspeakable truths. These brief poems, composed entirely of questions, express his dedication to what Hayden Carruth calls the 'structure of feeling' underlying experience. The 69-year-old poet drinks from the common source of all his essential work, revisiting that 'deep well of perpetuity': the imagination ofregeneration and vision. With its composition, he comes full circle as a human being and an artist. Pablo Neruda finished The Book of Questions (Ellibro de las preguntas) only months before his death in September 1973. 'The only true thoughts are those which do not grasp their own meaning.' AD

With this sixth and final volume of my translation of Neruda's late and posthumous poetry I dedicate this body of work TO Any errors or inadequacies in these translations are solely the responsibility of the translator.

To friends and family who have helped sustain me in this project since its inception in 197 5, I owe a debt that cannot be spoken or repaid. I thank my friend for his exquisite images and their questions. The artist Galen Garwood made available six original paintings for reproduction on the covers. From the first book in the late and posthumous Neruda series to this final one, Stephanie Lutgring has helped to shape the translations. Post Office Box 2 7 I Port Townsend, Washington 98368 0įor lending his fine observations and clarifications of the original poems, I am grateful once again to Michael Constans. Translation and original Spanish text of : Ellibro de las preguntas. The book of questions I Pablo Neruda translated by William O'Daly.Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Neruda, Pablo, I 904- I 9 7 3 Cover monotype by Galen Garwood The type is Sabon, set by The Typeworks, Vancouver, B.C. Copper Canyon Press is in residence with Centrum at Fort Worden State Park. Publication of this book was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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