Nature and Poetic Vocation in Miguel Hernández's Works

1. Poetry and Nature: The Vocation of Miguel Hernández

Miguel Hernández, in his early poems, reflects the deep link between his daily activities and his poetic vocation. In "Blades, Milking / One Goat and a Dream," the poet contemplates the moon while milking a goat. In his poem "Song of Exalted Love of Nature," the writer approaches the gates of the poetic world, bearing the garden of Orihuela in his hands.

The Roots of a Young Poet

At twenty years old, Hernández makes a declaration of love for nature, reflecting the feelings nested in his heart. During this early stage, there are constant references to the field, flora, fauna, and natural elements. Notable works include:

• "In August"
• "Pastoral"
• "The Soul of the Garden"
• "Palms"

These works capture the presence of the Levantine landscape and the daily life of the young poet. According to Sánchez Vidal, the moon is a sponsor of these natural processes that fascinated Hernández, serving as a representation of fertility and the exaltation of life.

Symbolism and Rhetorical Figures

In his first book, through the metaphor of the palm, Miguel sings to the watermelon, the shell, the bull, and the rooster. All these elements become rhetorical figures that transcend their literal meaning. Nature provides him with the resources to express his passionate love. In poems dedicated to Josefina, he uses spring flora, such as the rose, to express the beauty and lushness of his affection.

The Evolution of His Vision

The ray is chosen by Hernández as a symbol of his tormented love and serves as the title for one of his best works, "The Unceasing Ray," which describes love as a tragic fate. The Civil War marked a change in his poetic vision. His view of Orihuela as a "locus amoenus" expanded into a broader worldview where all of Spain became his land and his roots. The war brought a tragic destruction of nature, as described in his poem "Spain in Absentia."

Thematic Blocks of Nature in His Work

The content regarding nature can be grouped into the following thematic blocks: