Sometimes we just need to pause. Pablo Neruda expresses this best when he asks us to slow down and be in each other’s presence in the midst of the chaos that life throws at us from time to time.

Keeping Quiet
by 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 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,
victories 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.

This playlist reminds me to pause and be still…

1. Tomato Day – Kelpe
2. Little Love – Gabriel Kahane
3. cradle – Adrianne Lenker
4. Try Tho We Might To – Francis and the Lights
5. Knights Of Cydonia – Darlingside
6. Hot Heavy Summer (feat. Sylvan Esso) – Ben Howard
7. Faking – DYAN
8. ekki hugsa – Olafur Arnalds
9. Sail on Through – Spiritualized
10. Forever – Pete Drake
11. Needles – BAD WITH PHONES
12. Stevie (feat. Anna Wise) – Jon Bap
13. Livin’ In a Dream (feat. Nipsey Hussle) – The Neighbourhood
14. Getaway – Roosevelt

Playlists: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube