Keeping Quiet
rollings
Posts: 7,124
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 too much.
It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines;
we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
Fisherman in the cold sea would not harm the whales
and the man gathering salt would not hurt his hands.
Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories 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...
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 to be dead in winter and later proves to be alive. Now I'll count to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.
-- Pablo Neruda
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 too much.
It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines;
we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
Fisherman in the cold sea would not harm the whales
and the man gathering salt would not hurt his hands.
Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories 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...
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 to be dead in winter and later proves to be alive. Now I'll count to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.
-- Pablo Neruda
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someone once told me that my poems are like that of the late pablo neruda. truly i was set on fire that day
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Godfather.
"this kinda thread reminds me of those people who set fire to their own genitals for attention" ~ dunkman
you're welcome, sir
I don't know much of Neruda's work, but have loved everything of his that I've read to date.
Rich but simple words, and ideas...good stuff.
Thanks for this one
Wonderful...will count to 12 or maybe even 30.
Kat?!