Pablo Neruda's Keeping Quiet Summary

"Keeping Quiet" is a poem by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, first published in his collection "Extravagaria" in 1958. The poem is an invitation to stillness and contemplation in the midst of the busy and chaotic world we live in.

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.

In the opening lines of "Keeping Quiet," the speaker calls for a moment of stillness and silence. They ask that everyone present count to twelve and remain quiet, not speaking in any language. By doing so, the speaker suggests that they can all experience a moment of unity, where the distractions and divisions of language and physical movement fall away.

The request to not move their arms so much is particularly interesting, as it suggests that physical stillness is just as important as vocal silence. By calling for everyone to be still and quiet, the speaker is asking that they all pause and reflect, to take a moment to consider their place in the world and their relationship to those around them.

Stanza 2.

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines;

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

In these lines, the speaker of the poem is describing what the experience of keeping quiet could be like. The speaker imagines that if everyone on earth were to stop speaking and be quiet for a moment, it would be an "exotic moment" because it would be something out of the ordinary, unexpected, and different from the usual busy-ness and noise of life.

The line "without rush, without engines" suggests that this moment of quiet would also be free from the noise and hurry of technology and transportation, allowing us to be more connected to the natural world and to each other.

The speaker then goes on to describe how this moment of quiet would bring us together in a new way, creating a feeling of "sudden strangeness." This phrase suggests that the silence would be disorienting, but in a positive way, as people are forced to confront themselves and their surroundings without the usual distractions. Overall, the lines express the idea that silence can be a powerful tool for bringing people together and helping us connect with each other and the world around us in new and profound ways.

Stanza 3.

Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands.

In the poem "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda, the lines "Fishermen in the cold sea / would not harm whales / and the man gathering salt / would look at his hurt hands" describe how if everyone were to stop what they were doing and simply be still for a moment, there would be a sense of unity and peacefulness that would prevent harm and violence.

The image of fishermen in the cold sea not harming whales suggests that if people were to take a break from their busy lives, they would gain a new perspective on the world around them, and perhaps be more mindful of their impact on the environment. The man gathering salt looking at his hurt hands is a metaphor for the way in which people would take time to reflect on their own lives and experiences, and possibly come to a greater understanding of themselves and others.

Overall, these lines suggest that taking a moment to be still and quiet can lead to greater empathy, understanding, and peace in the world.

Stanza 4.

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.

In these lines from "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda, the speaker imagines a world where people stop and remain still for a moment. In this stillness, the speaker suggests that people would be able to see the world in a different way and perhaps change their actions.

The lines "Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victories with no survivors" refer to people who plan and execute wars that are environmentally damaging and often result in massive loss of life. The phrase "green wars" might refer to wars that are fought over natural resources or that result in ecological destruction. The speaker suggests that if these people were to take a moment to be still and reflect, they might reconsider their actions and choose to act differently in the future.

The following lines, "would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing," imply that if these people were to stop and reflect, they might choose to take a more peaceful and nonviolent approach to conflict resolution. The idea of "walking about with their brothers" suggests a sense of community and shared humanity that transcends the divisions created by war. The "shade" is a symbol of rest and tranquility, which the speaker suggests is an alternative to the violence and chaos of war. Overall, these lines encourage the reader to consider the possibility of a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Stanza 5.

What I want should not be confused

with total inactivity.

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

In these lines, the speaker is clarifying that their desire for a moment of stillness and silence should not be misconstrued as a call for complete inaction or passivity in life. The speaker is not advocating for a cessation of all activity, but rather for a temporary pause in the frenzied rush of life in order to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world.

The phrase "total inactivity" suggests that the speaker is aware that some may interpret their call for quiet and stillness as a demand to abandon all action and progress. However, the speaker makes it clear that this is not their intention. Rather, they believe that by taking a moment to pause and reflect, we can better appreciate the value and importance of the life we lead.

The final line, "I want no truck with death," further emphasizes the importance of life and the need to live it fully. The phrase "no truck with" means "no association with" or "no involvement with." By saying that they want no truck with death, the speaker is rejecting any notion of giving up or giving in to the inevitability of death. Instead, they are calling on us to fully embrace life and all that it has to offer, including moments of stillness and reflection.

Stanza 6.

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.

In these lines from "Keeping Quiet," Pablo Neruda suggests that our busy and fast-paced lives often prevent us from taking a moment to reflect and truly understand ourselves. He uses the phrase "single-minded" to describe our constant need to keep our lives moving and to always be doing something. However, if we could pause for a moment and allow ourselves to do nothing, we might experience a "huge silence" that could interrupt the sadness of our existence.

Neruda also touches on the idea of mortality, noting that we often threaten ourselves with death by constantly rushing through life without taking the time to appreciate it. By interrupting this cycle of constant motion and noise, we may find a way to connect with ourselves and the world around us in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Overall, these lines encourage us to take a step back from our busy lives and embrace moments of stillness and silence in order to gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.

Stanza 7.

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.

The lines "Perhaps the earth can teach us / as when everything seems dead / and later proves to be alive" suggest that the natural world may have important lessons to teach us. The poet implies that sometimes things may appear lifeless or hopeless, but in reality, they may be full of vitality and potential.

This idea can be interpreted in a few different ways. One interpretation is that the natural world may provide a source of hope and inspiration, even during difficult times. The poet suggests that if we pay attention to the cycles of nature, we may find comfort in the knowledge that life is always renewing itself.

The final two lines of the poem, "Now I'll count up to twelve / and you keep quiet and I will go," suggest that the poet has finished his reflection and is ready to move on. The act of counting to twelve is a way to mark the passage of time and create a sense of closure. The poet instructs the reader to keep quiet, perhaps as a way to encourage them to continue reflecting on the ideas presented in the poem. The final phrase, "and I will go," may suggest that the poet is leaving the reader with these thoughts to ponder on their own.