DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS Rajkot - Gondal

Education Culture Leadership

ENGLISH FLAMINGO POETRY

1. My mother at sixty six

by Kamala Das

Theme
This poem revolves around the theme of advancing age and the fear of loss and
separation. The poet looks at her old feeble mother and the finality of death
looms large on her mind. Looking at her old mother, she is pained and worried as
she realizes that the mother may not live long.

Summary
Once the poet went to visit her mother. She was on her way back to the airport to
return to Cochin. She looked at her mother who was seated beside her in the car. Her
mother had dozed off to sleep and her ageing face - was smoky in colour like ash. Her
mouth was open and she resembled a dead body. The poet realized that her mother
was old. She felt pain and sympathy for her. Her mother needed
love, affection and care.
In order to come out of the gloom, the poet shifted her glance and looked out of
the car’s window. There she saw young trees pass by. Little children were running out
of their houses into the playgrounds. These things were contrary to the ageing face of
her mother. They symbolised energy, life and happiness. As they reached the airport
and the poet was about to leave for the aeroplane, she glanced at her mother one more
time. Her mother appeared weak and pale just like the moon in the winter season
which seems to have lost all its strength. The poet felt the pain and fear of losing her
mother. She was reminded of her childhood when she used to fear losing her mother.
As a child she could not bear to be separated from her mother even for a few moments.
Now the loss would bepermanent as her mother was about to die and she would lose
her forever. The poet did not express her feelings. She smiled and said “see you soon,
Amma” because she wanted that her mother should live and they could meet again.

DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS : RAJKOT -GONDAL

 DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS Rajkot - Gondal
Education Culture Leadership

ENGLISH FLAMINGO POETRY

3. KEEPING QUIET

by Pablo Neruda
THEME
This poem is about the necessity of quiet introspection and creating a feeling of mutual
understanding among human beings.

SUMMARY
"Keeping Quiet" is a peace poem written by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The poet
asks humanity to count numbers from one to twelve - twelve being the number of hours
shown in aclock or the number of zodiac signs. He requests everyone not to speak because
languages create barriers between people. The moment when everyone stops moving
their body will bevery special and different as we have never experienced such a moment
before.The poet says that in this period of inactivity the fishermen would not harm the
whales, the saltgatherers will not hurt their hands, those who are busy destroying the
nature will adopt a new approach towards life, The men who are preparing for wars
and victory based on deaths of innocent people will join their enemy and stand in unity
with them, doing nothing. No one will harm himself or any other person. Everyone will
unite and ponder upon his acts and realize the results of his deeds.
The poet clarifies his idea and says further that he does not want that people should
stand idle.
He wants that there should be no war because he does not want to see trucks laden
with dead bodies of the soldiers. He is promoting Universal brotherhood and peace.
The poet says that everyone is working continuously, to achieve one’s goals. People are
threatened by death and the fear forces them to work endlessly so that they can achieve
everything quickly. In this mad rush, they do not realize the repercussions of their acts.
He wants us to pause and come out of the mad rush. He wants us to be happy about our
achievements and celebrate them. He wants us to overcome the fear of death and to
relax for a while. We should know the results of our deeds and celebrate our
achievements. When the people will remain quiet for a while, they will realize the
purpose of their lives. Just like all the creations of nature undergo a rebirth with the
change of seasons, similarly, keeping quiet will be a rebirth for the human soul. It will
give a new meaning to our life. Again, the poet says that he will count till twelve and
asks everyone to remain quiet while he leaves.

DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS : RAJKOT -GONDAL

 DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS Rajkot - Gondal
Education Culture Leadership

ENGLISH FLAMINGO POETRY

4. A thing of beauty
by John Keats
THEME
A thing of beauty is a source of constant joy. Beauty can be found
everywhere. It is something that has the ability to transform lives. It also
highlights the fact that beauty has a therapeutic quality, i.e. the ability to
remove negativity. It can be any object, nature, tales or even noble deeds of
our ancestors.

SUMMARY
'A Thing of Beauty' is a poem taken from the poem titled - "Endymion -
a poetic romance' written by the famous poet John Keats. The poet says that a
beautiful thing is a source of endless joy. It has eternal beauty which never
fades away. A beautiful thing is like a shady shelter which gives us a sleep
full of sweet dreams, good health and relaxation. Our attachments to the
Earthly things are like a flowery wreath. They are traps which bind us to the
materialistic things and keeps us away from eternal happiness. The Earth is
full of hatred, greed and negativity. According to the poet, the gloom and
sadness caused by this negativity fades away with the positive vibes of the
beautiful things that surround us. The poet lists out some of the beautiful
things that surround us. As the saying goes -"Beauty lies in the eyes of the
beholder. He says that the numerous creations of God like the Sun which
gives us energy, the moon's beauty, the trees which give us shade are the
natural beauties around us. The various animals like the sheep that surround
us make our world lively. The pretty flowers like daffodils make the world
green and lively. The flowing streams of water cool and refresh us in the hot
summer season. The forests which are full of the pretty musk rose flowers
are a beautiful sight to the eye. All these are the things of beauty. Also, the
stories of the brave soldiers who laid their lives to protect their people are
beautiful and inspiring. These beautiful things are like a fountain of
immortality bestowed upon us by God. They inspire us to
live on and maintain our faith in goodness.

DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS : RAJKOT -GONDAL

 DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS Rajkot - Gondal
Education Culture Leadership

ENGLISH FLAMINGO POETRY

5. A roadside stand
by Robert Frost
SUMMARY
“Roadside Stand summary deals with the lives of poor deprived people.
Furthermore, the poet contrasts the struggling lives of the countryside people
with the insensitive life of the city dwellers. The city dwellers don’t even
bother to ponder on the harsh condition of the roadside stand people. The
city dwellers don’t think about the struggles these roadside people have to
go through in order to sell their goodies. These poor people have nothing to
do except wait for the passing cars to stop and purchase their products. If at
all a car stops by, it is to know aboutdirections or to make complain about
something. The poet deeply sympathises with these impoverished people
and feels compassion for them. This sympathy is evident in the portrayal of
the roadside sheds in a poignant manner. There has been an extension of the
shed in front by the occupants of the little old house. Furthermore, this
extension is around the edge of the road where the passage of traffic takes
place. It seems like the shack-owners want to implore the passers-by to
purchase something from the shack. These deprived people have a huge desire
for the currency. Unfortunately, the traffic goes past ignoring the shack. If by
chance the traffic does stop, it would come with a feeling of disappointment.
They are very disturbed to see the poor unattractive signboards. There is an
offer of wild berries shack for sale in a wooden quart (a quarter of a gallon).
This place offers a peaceful natural stay for those who can afford it. The poet
becomesangry at this attitude of the ‘polished traffic’ and asks them to move
ahead.The poet shows more concern for the sadness of the shed-owners than
he does for the landscape blemish. He believes that these people have a
longing to handle some city money. This money can reduce their suffering as
one can see in movies. The political party that enjoys power is the one that
deprives them of a happy life.“The poet makes mention of the news which
points out the relocation of the poor villagers to the vicinity of shops and
theatres. There were big promises to ensure good care for them. However,
the government authorities became negligent of these promises. Furthermore,
the poet is angry at this behavior and calls them “greedy good-doers”. He
calls them “beasts of prey” who indulge
in the exploitation of the poor villagers.

DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS : RAJKOT -GONDAL

 DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS Rajkot - Gondal
Education Culture Leadership

ENGLISH FLAMINGO POETRY

6. AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGERS

Adrienne Cecile Rich (1929 – 2012), American poet, essayist and feminist. One of
the most widely read and influenced poets of the second half of the 20th century. She
talks about a woman’s experiences in her married life.She has tried to explore the inner
feelings of a woman who is living under the dominance of men.

THEME
The poem deals with the pathetic condition of married women all over the world. Aunt
Jennifer is a symbol of all married women, who are suffering at the oppressive hands of
a patriarchal society.

SUMMARY
“The poet expresses the inner feelings of a woman - Aunt Jennifer. The aunt is
embroidering a motif comprising of energetic, fearless tigers moving freely around the
bright greenery. She is living a life of submissiveness to her husband’s command. Her
acts are dominated by him and she fears him constantly. This pattern of the free and
fearless tigers reflects her inner desire to live a free and fearless life. The tigers are
graceful, elegant and bright. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers tremble as she embroiders. She is
old but still fears her husband. She does not enjoy the freedom to do anything as per her
wish. She is scared doing the embroidery too and fears his wrath. Since the day she got
married, she has been fulfilling the demands of her husband. The wedding ring on her
hand is a constant reminder that she belongs to her husband. The burden of the
demanding marriage has exhausted her. The torment will not end
until her death.

DHOLAKIYA SCHOOLS : RAJKOT -GONDAL