Octavio Paz (March 31, 1914 – April 19, 1998 / Mexico City)

Octavio Paz has written some magnificent poetry and is among my favorite 20th century poets, but this work is only passable. Paz expresses a fine sentiment - namely, that a woman should be appreciated for many reasons, and her looks is the least of them. There is beauty in her charm, intelligence, character, but I fail to see how all this goes beyond the cliches. The last 2 stanzas are particularly poor: I see 2 cliches and 2 trite and prosaic statements. Note: 'bright star in this ever-spending universe', 'world of pain', 'fighter...', and 'contemplate the night and its bright stars'. The first and last of these are certainly cliches, while 'world of pain' and 'fighters...' are trite and prosaic. Many readers judge a poem (falsely) on the basis of whether it agrees with their sensibilities, whether it has certain political content. In short, their judgements are usually emotive, divorced from considerations of craft and artistry. I for one can recognize and laud a poem whose content may be offensive (or at least controversial) , but which is beautifully and originally crafted.

As a woman, not one who writes, I am honored that there is a man on the planet who thinks like this. Great Job! Now required reading for the girls I mentor, if ya dont mind. Gotta try to get them to set the bar higher.

this poem lured me in: -)

How is 'contemplating the night' not a cliche? No, it is a great poem really.

True, the book is not judged by its cover, which is often illusive. great!

Amen!
Its not all about the curves and clothes.After awhile they will shrivel and wrinkle.Then you must dig deeper.Which is something that should have been done before hand.

this is the truth! This is how we unconsciously judge people: by their physical appearance and not by the way they behave. so sad but anyway.
good poem.

like this. the woman virtuous is such a better pick, than the one voluptuous.

Very brave writing I full agree with. World is going down, the whale of money is pitiless and women obey and comply many of them. We speak about human rights in 21st century, people are not goods, they are value and virtue...

PAZ seen the reality of life, vs. - the magazine Images of love. Really a regression to the womb, kiddie porn, illusions post adolesence love, taking the place of reality.