National Poetry Month Day 15: Valparaiso

You may have heard that over the weekend parts of Valparaíso, Chile were engulfed by a terrible fire that is still threatening the city.  I’ve seen different numbers, but thousands of homes have burned, thousands are displaced and at least 12 have died.  Valpo is like my third home, a place I lived for 10 months and absolutely love.  The photos I’ve seen are devastating.  A friend of mine that lives nearby is raising funds for the families of one of the cerros (hills) most affected by the fire.  She has also included the links for different national organizations to donate to if you feel so inclined.

So today’s poem is Pablo Neruda’s Oda a Valparaíso.  Neruda, one of Chile’s Nobel Laureates, had one of his houses in Valpo and writes a beautiful tribute to a beautiful city.