Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto, better known as Pablo Neruda is an ace Chilean poet and writes in Spanish as well as English.Simple,yet vivid descriptions of his thoughts makes him a beautiful poet,who is understood by all. In the poem'Keeping Quiet' , Pablo Neruda emphasises on self -realisation and makes an appeal for peace among mankind.
'Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still'..
The poem open beautifully , with these lines creating an atmosphere of peace and silence, mentally preparing the reader to calmly listen to what Neruda wants to convey. The poem advances further , leaving a soothing effect, making an appeal to the reader to go into a pleasant oblivion and idleness.
'Let's not speak in any language...let's stop for one second..'
Neruda is not particularly aiming at few people of a particular culture or nation,but appealing to whole of the mankind. He wishes for a complete inactivity, no moment,no actions,no words and not even the language of thoughts. He describes this inactivity and idleness as an 'exotic moment'..pulling us away from the rat race and tensions of this fast moving life.
'Fishermen in the cold sea,would not harm whales' ' Those who prepare green wars...would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers'..
How calm and soothing this world would turn into if everyone could realise what their actions lead to , by going in a 'sudden strangeness' of silence.
'What I want should not be confused with total inactivity'
By this point of time,the readers might interpret the gist of poem as an appeal to go into a complete inactivity of death. Neruda cleverly clears the doubt ,to ensure his thoughts are well understood by everyone.
'perhaps , a huge silence might interrupt this sadness..of never understanding ourselves..'
Millions of people everyday..wake up, to begin the rat race, running every moment,yet going nowhere. This lack of awareness and lack of motives is what is ' sad ' for Neruda. And this highlights the aim of Neruda for physical inactivity ,as this will give us some time to think and realise our motives.
' Now I'll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go..'
The poem opens up by using 'we'..signifying the taking up of a task by the poet with the readers for introspection and self realisation and it ends with 'you', leaving a task for the readers to meditate and ponder upon thoughts , planted by him.
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