Dedication - X Summary

Dedication: In a dedication to his "beloved wife" Matilde, Neruda explains that he went through a lot of pain to produce these 100 sonnets. He feels he is barely up to the task of accomplishing something as classical and elegant as sonnets. Instead of being made of crystal or silver, Neruda says his sonnets are made of wood, wood he has done a lot of work to in shaping and cutting into form. Only Matilde herself gives these sonnets life and meaning.

I: The name "Matilde" is the name of "things that begin in the earth, and last." It is a kind of invisible, intangible life force. Neruda wishes to "steer like a ship" through Matilde's name, and to rest there.

II: Neruda laments that his path to love with Matilde, even in just the space before consummating a kiss...