Oddly this was one of the most popular pages on my old blog.  I have copied this and some of the comments that were added to the blog to my new site (here) - and I daresay I will change this site soon so more people can add comments - watch this space


Following a discussion at work - and I happen to think it is particularly romantic, here is the poem for (hopefully) a few more individuals to enjoy.

The poem used in the movie is by Pablo Neruda. It is Sonnet 17 of Neruda’s 100 Love Sonnets available in English translation by Stephen Tapscott. It is this translation that Patch reads in the movie. Here is the text of the poem in its entirety:



I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way
because I don't know any other way of loving
but this, in which there is no I nor you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep
it is your eyes that close.


  1. 1.James said,

    ON NOVEMBER 16TH, 2005 AT 11:03 PM
    This is such a beautiful poem, i cannot use words to explain it.
    James


  1. 2.Mrs_Balboa said,

    ON DECEMBER 4TH, 2005 AT 2:00 AM
    I adore this poem. I was just flicking through some channels a few weeks ago, and what happened to be on bbc 1, Patch Adams.
    Ive never seen it, and as there was nothing worth watching on the other channels, I started watching it.
    A great movie, although this poem captured me the most. And I especially love the bit where his girlfriend dies and everyone attends her funeral, he waits tentively behind the tree, until everyone leaves then appears, stands by her coffin, and recites this poem.
    I cried continuously throughout that. The words are so moving, true and deep. And what made it more great was who better to recite them than the Oscar award winning Robin Williams. Although he’s funny hes a serious actor too & that part of the film for me was unique.
    I searched everywhere for this poem. Ive now found it.
    Thank You.
    Gemma


  1. 3.Nef said,

    ON JANUARY 1ST, 2006 AT 10:11 AM
    For a better translation, check out “The Essential Neruda” and a poster of the sonnet at http://www.redpoppy.net/pablo_neruda.php
    Paz,
    Nef


  1. 4.Tara said,

    ON JANUARY 6TH, 2006 AT 6:39 PM
    I recently watched Patch Adams and when I heard this poem I realized that this poem sums up what I feel for my soul mate Josh.
    It is beautiful.


  1. 5.Claire said,

    ON JANUARY 8TH, 2006 AT 7:28 PM
    when i watched patch adams and heard this poem, immediately i fell in love with the poem though it’s not complete yet it really touched and moved me in some way.
    thanks and i’ve found it here!


  1. 6.Sam Woodward said,

    ON OCTOBER 12TH, 2006 AT 2:05 PM
    That is the most beautiful poem I have ever heard!


  1. 7.Sunny said,

    ON APRIL 13TH, 2007 AT 5:27 PM
    Neruda’s country is also mine, i have read both translations and both r so misserably poor, i just wish u all could enjoy the way he makes love with words in spanish, the sutil way to express something and succeed in it so deeply, so strong, so truthfully….
    There is a very rare poem of him, for those who understands spanish, try to find it, the name is “la palabra”.


  1. 8.kelly said,

    ON APRIL 17TH, 2007 AT 7:02 PM
    as said above, ive been serching for this poem and finally i found it! i cant explain how this poem makes me feel, but this is the one thing, that inevitably puts a tear in my eye. Its been decided already that this will be read at my mothers funeral. its special to both of us, signifying a love between any two people.
    thanks kelly


  1. 9.Lucy said,

    ON DECEMBER 16TH, 2007 AT 1:38 AM
    This poem, as well as Patch Adam’s movie en the song Blue Skies are the most beautiful ones in each genre.
    I love them.


  1. 10.GasiaAgowshoohoft said,

    ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2008 AT 1:10 AM
    hey !!
    its very point of view.
    Good post.
    realy good post
    thx


  1. 11.Kristin said,

    ON OCTOBER 3RD, 2008 AT 7:17 AM
    How could you not fall in love with this poem?
    It’s the genuinely most sweet thing I’ve ever heard.


  1. 12.Liam said,

    ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2008 AT 6:51 AM
    As soon as i heard this poem i fell in love with it, i read this poem to my now fiance when i proposed to her, we both cried as i read it to her, the poem is so hard not to read without crying.


  1. 13.Amanda said,

    ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2008 AT 8:34 PM
    OMG i so love that movie but the ending is too sad i always turn it off before i see the end i know i am a wimp but i lik to think it ends happily ever after… even though it doesn’t i sent the poem to my boyfriend and he loved it i love this poem and which i had that type of skills which i so do not have at all….


  1. 14.Mohee Halari said,

    ON NOVEMBER 18TH, 2008 AT 1:07 PM
    Thankyou so much for the poem, i just watched the movie and im really touched, im in the 3rd yr med school, the movie is really impressive…thanks for the poem!


  1. 15.Cara Hall said,

    ON FEBRUARY 17TH, 2009 AT 11:24 PM
    The film does have a happy ending.
    This poem, even if it is poorly translated (which i would not know) is very deep and meaningful. As soon as i read or hear it i am filled with overwhelming emotions of love and closeness, i cannot describe it. It describes how love should be, how it is, and how i feel. One of the most amazing poems i have ever read.


  1. 16.c-mo said,

    ON AUGUST 15TH, 2009 AT 6:48 AM
    this poem describes the love that i have for my future wife. thanks for posting it… it really helped me verbalize that which needed to be said.