Keeping Quiet

                                    -Pablo Neruda 

  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 engine, 

  We would all be strangeness. 

  Fisherman in the cold sea

  would not harm whales 

  and the man gathering salt 

  would 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.