Keeping Quiet | Poem 2 | Poetry | English 12th | Flamingo | Summary | Questions | Answers

 

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Keeping Quiet | Poem 2 | Poetry | English 12th | Flamingo | Summary | Questions | Answers

 

Keeping Quiet

Now we will count to twelve

and we will all keep still.

 

For once on the face of the Earth

let’s not speak in any language,

let’s stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

 

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

 

Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands.

 

Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,

victory with no survivors,

would put on clean clothes

and walk about with their

brothers

in the shade, doing nothing.

 

What I want should not be

confused

with total inactivity.

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving,

and for once could do nothing,

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with

death.

 

Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.

 

Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.

                    (Pablo Neruda)

 

Short Summary

"Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda is a reflective and thought-provoking poem that advocates for introspection, unity, and peace in a world filled with chaos and violence. The poet urges humanity to pause for a moment, to be silent, and to reflect on their actions.

Neruda calls for a universal moment of stillness where people would stop their activities, including speaking, moving, or engaging in conflicts. This quietness, he believes, would allow individuals to rise above their differences and understand the futility of destructive pursuits like wars, environmental exploitation, and personal conflicts.

The poet clarifies that this moment of silence is not about inaction or death but about introspection and creating an opportunity for self-awareness and renewal. It is a chance to connect with nature and one another, fostering a sense of universal brotherhood.

Neruda concludes by reminding us that life is transient and that silence and introspection can help us find harmony and rejuvenation amidst the constant rush of life.

The poem emphasizes the power of quiet reflection to bring about peace, understanding, and a renewed appreciation for life.

 

Think it Out

Question 1. What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?

Answer: Counting up to twelve and keeping still will help us pause and reflect on our actions. It will create a moment of introspection, fostering unity and understanding among people. This silence can help us step away from conflicts, appreciate life, and understand the importance of harmony with ourselves, others, and nature.

Question 2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

Answer: No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity or death. He clarifies that his call for stillness is not about inaction but about introspection and renewal. The poet wants people to take a momentary pause to reflect on their lives and the consequences of their actions, enabling them to lead more meaningful and peaceful lives.

Question 3. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?

Answer: The ‘sadness’ refers to the sorrow caused by humanity’s inability to understand itself and its relentless pursuit of progress at the cost of harmony. It is the grief of being disconnected from nature, the self, and one another, and the loss of peace due to wars, exploitation, and destructive activities.

Question 4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

Answer: The poet uses the example of the Earth, which appears still during winter but is teeming with life beneath its surface. This symbolizes that even in apparent stillness, there is potential for renewal, growth, and regeneration, emphasizing that silence and reflection can lead to a more harmonious and productive life.