Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Bull" by Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basualto, more commonly known as Pablo Neruda, is a short yet evocative poem that captures the ephemeral journey of an "oldest bull" as it moves through landscapes and time to ultimately find rest by the ocean's edge. This poem is not merely an observation of a bull's trek, but rather an allegory that touches on themes of mortality, nature, and the existential quest for meaning.

The "oldest bull" is a compelling protagonist, symbolizing not just age but also timelessness and perhaps the cumulative experiences of life. As the bull "crossed the day," Neruda emphasizes not just a physical journey but also the passage of time. "His legs scratched the planet" implies a deep interaction with the Earth, as if each step leaves an indelible mark. This line can also be read as the weight of existence, the inevitable wear and tear that living exerts on every creature.

The bull's destination is "where the sea lives," a phrase loaded with poetic significance. The sea often stands as a metaphor for the unknown, the infinite, and the ultimate destination of all life cycles. The sea "lives," making it a dynamic entity that parallels the bull's own living essence. In reaching the shore, "the edge of time, the ocean," the bull appears to have arrived at the culmination of its life's journey. This juncture is almost cosmic, merging the notions of time and space, life and landscape.

The bull then "closed his eyes and grass covered him." This line is redolent with the imagery of finality and peace. The grass covering the bull can be seen as nature reclaiming its own, a return to the Earth, making the cycle of life complete. "He breathed the whole green distance" underscores the absorption of life's experiences and perhaps even a unity with nature in this ultimate moment.

"And silence built the rest" is a hauntingly beautiful closing line. The idea that "silence" builds suggests a kind of creation in absence, a filling of voids. The "rest" could imply both the bull's physical rest after its long journey and the spiritual rest that comes from a life fully lived.

Overall, "Bull" is a profound meditation packed into a few short lines. It takes the reader on an existential journey alongside its aged protagonist, compelling one to consider themes of life, death, and the inexorable pull of natural cycles. Through this narrative of an "oldest bull," Neruda crafts a universal tale that captures the essence of being, the weight of mortality, and the silent, eternal rhythms of the Earth and sea.

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