(A few full moons back, a soul promised me a copy of the 1994 Oscar-nominated IL POSTINO—the movie sound track and poetry readings by the stars—Sting, Julia Roberts, Madonna, Andy Garcia, Ethan Hawke etc.)
The CD finally fell into my thrilled hands just last night after a bonding in Avalon over dinner (the chopsuey was divine! hahaha)
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The first time I heard about Pablo Neruda’s poetry was during the chance meeting with Cebu’s literary circle back in 2000, in Pitcher Plant Bar. Notable presence of DLSU's MArj Evasco. SSW Erma Cuizon, Orly Cajegas, Jeneen Garcia and Corazon Almerino graced the monthly reading. It was one of those great night of music and poetry, a few months before the bar (t’was along M. Velez St.) folded up.
Somebody took the limelight and read a piece influenced by Neruda’s style. I do not know exactly. The piece simply moved me. Great poets have this gift of articulating those emotions. I ended up wishing I could do the same.
Neruda’s remarkable simplicity and directness in imagery and sound makes it very easy to appreciate, and what hit me to the core was the . It was smashing! I have become a big fan of Neruda’s romanticism since then.
Neruda, a poet and activist, is a 1971 Nobel Laureate.
A fiery poet of leftist politics and a fiery poet of love.
I actually have a copy of one of his books, borrowed from the same friend, “The Captain’s Verses.” Just last week, after I ended up spending more than a grand for books in National Bookstore (when is Powerbooks going to open here!?!). I asked the clerk if they have any Neruda books available. Viola! A copy (read:one) registered in the computer. “Twenty Love Poems…” Sure enough, as elusive as the poet, they still have to find it--. I just have to be back some other time to check if it’s ready to be taken home.
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I got home just before midnight last night. Prepared a raspberry flavored black tea (with its caffeine meter at 20 per 8 oz. serving), feed the CD to the dinosaur player, and hit the play button.
The texture of the music brought memories of European period art films—regional in sound.
And the readings of the stars added a distinct flavor, like tea to a coffee or strawberry.
I also have a copy...as in! Really a treasure..heheh! 
