BACK TO CLASS IN THE TIMES OF CORONA!

#BACK TO CLASS IN THE TIMES OF CORONA!

This poem by PABLO NERUDA has been part of the CBSE class XII course content for many sessions now. Over the years, irrespective of the effort I put behind my explanation, I couldnt help ignore the lack of interest & enthusiasm while we studied it in class. 

Today I cant help but think of Neruda's thoughts which seem almost prophetic. 

Do you understand this poem better guys in the context of our lives now?

NO BETTER TEACHER THAN LIFE & LIFE EXPERIENCES ? WHAT SAY ?

If I was teaching this post the lockdown, all I would require to say would be...."remember the lockdown, children?" & the chapter would be done😉

KEEPING QUIET = LOCKDOWN = STOP what we have done so far; use the time to Introspect/retrospect in order to learn, adapt, realise & correct the wrongs while changing the world & making it a better place to live in when it is healed post the pandemic.

Let the Ncorona virus be one of the greatest teachers who has taught us some very valuable life lessons. We should internalise them and try to improve in all ways and leave a better world for our children and their's.

The world, am hopeful will be a much improved one from the present morally, intellectually, financially, compassionately bankrupt one we are experiencing now!

#keepingquiet

#nerudapoetry

#pandemicpoetry

#covidlessons

#hopesofabetterworld

[The blogger has been a high school teacher (CBSE) for 27 years and has taught this poem which is part of the NCERT Class XII English syllabus]

KEEPING QUIET 

By Pablo Neruda 

And 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.

Fisherman in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would not 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......