Bécquer was a leading figure of Spain's late Romantic movement ('Posromanticismo'). Writing in the mid-19th century, his poetry moved away from grand, historical epics and focused on intimate, personal, and often melancholic emotions. 'Rimas' was published after his early death and became a defining work of Spanish poetry, influencing generations of writers with its delicate and heartfelt style.

This poem is a cornerstone of Spanish literature, memorized by generations of students. Its opening lines are instantly recognizable and are often used in wedding vows, romantic letters, and pop culture to express ultimate, undying love. It's the Spanish equivalent of Shakespeare's 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' in terms of cultural recognition for a love poem.

This line is the start of a powerful hyperbole, a literary device of extreme exaggeration. Bécquer lists a series of impossible cosmic catastrophes—the sun going dark, the sea drying up—to create a dramatic contrast with the one thing that will survive: 'la llama de tu amor' (the flame of your love). The structure builds tension, making the final declaration of eternal love even more impactful.