English notebook

Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda

Stanza 1

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 a second,

and not move our arms so much.

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Stanza 2 Stanza 3
It would be an exotic moment without rush, Those who prepare green wars,

without engines; wars with gas, wars with fire,

victory with no survivors,

we would all be together
would put on clean clothes
in a sudden strangeness.
and walk about with their
Fishermen in the cold sea
brothers
would not harm whales
in the shade, doing nothing.
and the man gathering salt What I want should not be confused with

would not look at his hurt hands. total inactivity.

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

.Stanza 4
Stanza 5
If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving, Perhaps the earth can teach

and for once could do nothing, us

perhaps a huge silence as when everything seems

might interrupt this sadness dead

of never understanding ourselves
and later proves to be alive.
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will

go.
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