Cernuda explores the complexities of love, both fulfilled and unrequited, with a raw and honest voice. His poems delve into the ecstasy of desire, the pain of rejection, and the bittersweet nature of fleeting connections. Cernuda's depictions of love are often intertwined with themes of loneliness and isolation, highlighting the human yearning for connection and belonging.

Throughout his work, Cernuda grapples with themes of identity, particularly in relation to his homosexuality. His poems reflect the challenges he faced in a society that often rejected or marginalized his true self. Cernuda's exploration of identity extends beyond his sexuality, encompassing broader themes of individuality, self-acceptance, and the struggle to find one's place in the world.

Cernuda's poetry is imbued with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia as he reflects upon the passage of time and the weight of memory. The past, both personal and historical, becomes a source of both solace and sorrow in his work. He explores themes of lost innocence, the ephemeral nature of beauty, and the inevitability of death, leaving readers with a profound sense of the fragility and preciousness of life.