Name__________________

WSI English 9 Period______

Date___________________

Directions:

1. Read the poem through once to hear the sound and get a basic understanding.
2. Read the poem again, this time highlighting in any color anything about it that you find particularly
interesting, beautiful, or confusing.
3. Read the poem a third time, this time with a pen or pencil. When you see something that you want
to comment on (like identifying figurative language, imagery, or theme), write it down on the page
next to it. You can underline as well.
4. When I say that it is time, turn to a partner who has a highlighter that is a different color than yours.
Switch highlighters. Then, tell each other the lines, words and phrases that you highlighted.
Highlight what your partner chose that you did not. Discuss why you chose what you did.

Brown and Agile Child

Brown and agile child, the sun which forms the fruit
And ripens the grain and twists the seaweed
Has made your happy body and your luminous eyes
And given your mouth the smile of water.

A black and anguished sun is entangled in the twigs

Of your black mane when you hold out your arms.
You play in the sun as in a tidal river
And it leaves two dark pools in your eyes.

Brown and agile child, nothing draws me to you,

Everything pulls away from me here in the noon.
You are the delirious youth of bee,
The drunkenness of the wave, the power of the wheat.

My somber heart seeks you always

I love your happy body, your rich, soft voice.
Dusky butterfly, sweet and sure
Like the wheatfield, the sun, the poppy, and the water.

Pablo Neruda
Name__________________
WSI English 9 Period______
Date___________________

Directions:

1. Read the poem through once to hear the sound and get a basic understanding.
2. Read the poem again, this time highlighting in any color anything about it that you find
particularly interesting, beautiful, or confusing.
3. Read the poem a third time, this time with a pen or pencil. When you see something that you
want to comment on (like identifying figurative language, imagery, or theme), write it down on
the page next to it. You can underline as well.
4. When I say that it is time, turn to a partner who has a highlighter that is a different color than
yours. Switch highlighters. Then, tell each other the lines, words and phrases that you
highlighted. Highlight what your partner chose that you did not. Discuss why you chose what you
did.

NIÑA morena y ágil, el sol que hace las frutas,

el que cuaja los trigos, el que tuerce las algas,
hizo tu cuerpo alegre, tus luminosos ojos
y tu boca que tiene la sonrisa del agua.

Un sol negro y ansioso se te arrolla en las hebras

de la negra melena, cuando estiras los brazos.
Tú juegas con el sol como con un estero
y él te deja en los ojos dos oscuros remansos.

Niña morena y ágil, nada hacia ti me acerca.

Todo de ti me aleja, como del mediodía.
Eres la delirante juventud de la abeja,
la embriaguez de la ola, la fuerza de la espiga.

Mi corazón sombrío te busca, sin embargo,

y amo tu cuerpo alegre, tu voz suelta y delgada.
Mariposa morena dulce y definitiva,
como el trigal y el sol, la amapola y el agua.

Pablo Neruda