Saw Alastair Reid last night at 192 Books (a wonderful bookstore in my neighborhood that feels like a friend’s apartment with an amazing bookshelf). He spoke about his friendship with Pablo Neruda and read from the Chilean poet’s works. One story:
Neruda: When I married Matilda I promised I would write her 100 love sonnets. I’m still working on them.
Reid: Couldn’t you have said “50”?
Neruda: I wish I had!