GUSTAVO ADOLFO BÉCQUER (1836 - 1870)

Born in Seville, orphaned in childhood, moving to Madrid at the age of 18, living there in penury and illness until his death at the age of 34, is one of the most important of the Spanish Romantic poets. In 1871 his friends published an edition of his poetry consisting of some 76 Rimas. Love in all its guises was the main stimulus for his work.

Susan Serrano is a poet, writer and artist who lectures in Spanish at Kingston University, UK. Above is a photograph of her painting In Visions: Woman with Fan inspired by this poem, together with her own translation of the poem.

YO SOY ARDIENTE

Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena,
yo soy el símbolo de la pasión,
de ansia de goces mi alma está llena;
¿a mí me buscas?

	— No es a ti; no

Mi frente es pálida, mis trenzas de oro,
puedo brindarte dichas sin fin,
yo de ternuras guardo un tesoro;
¿a mí me llamas?

	— No; no es a ti.

Yo soy un sueño, un imposible,
vano fantasma de niebla y luz,
soy incorpórea, soy intangible;
no puedo amarte.

	— ¡Oh ven; ven tú!