I can never tell what is going to happen with you great 305ers, so let's see what you do with some Neruda. The poet Pablo Neruda wrote a book filled with questions: contradictory, existential, poetic, a bit Buddhist, too, if you ask me.
So, read these and then add your own Neruda style questions. You can copy his style all you want.
Later in the week, comment on or respond to some of the questions that people pose.
Without further ado, here are the Neruda questions:
In what language does rain
fall over tormented cities?
How do the oranges divide up
sunlight in the orange tree?
Tell me, is the rose naked
or is that her only dress?
And what did the rubies say
standing before the juice of pomegranates?
Why doesn't Thursday talk itself
into coming after Friday?
Does he who is always waiting suffer more
than he who’s never waited for anyone?
Who shouted with glee
when the color blue was born?
Why does the earth grieve
when the violets appear?
Why do trees conceal
the splendor of their roots?
Who hears the regrets
of the thieving automobile?
Is there anything in the world sadder
than a train standing in the rain?
― Pablo Neruda, The Book of Questions
What color did people feel
ReplyDeletewhen blue wasn't blue?
Is the Sun allowing the moon to rise
or does the moon force the sun to set?
Your first question made me laugh. I've always wondered why blue also has the meaning of sad/down.
DeleteThe sun and the moon are such a perfect couple. They have a perfect timing. It makes me think they are following each other looking for a way to be together.
DeleteI loved the sun and moon grouping. Two perfect objects to compare and use together.
DeleteI love yours :) I especially liked the sun and moon sentence. These types of sentences definitely get you thinking in a different manner.
DeleteJacob, good questions...the second one makes me ponder a bit. The color one is interesting too because if blue was red how would that make people feel?
DeleteI liked both of your questions, but the second was my favorite. Theirs is such an interesting relationship, one cannot can exist fully while the other is present.
DeleteI really liked your last question! it made me think. It takes such a natural occurrence and makes it funny.
DeleteAre dreams real
ReplyDeleteor are they just dreams?
Why is darkness bad
if we can't even see what's in it?
Is the sky jelous of the color of the ocean
or is the ocean jelous of the color of the sky?
Does water changes
because it hates itself?
Yours are really good! I think the ocean is jealous of the sky because it steals its color from the oceans reflection.
DeleteThe one on darkness is awesome! I was trying to think of something about the darkness. I am terrified of the dark when I am alone. but I always wonder why?
DeleteI love your sentence about darkness! It is true :) why are we scared of the unknown? Especially if there isn't even anything there.
DeleteI like your question about darkness, so many of us are afraid of that which we cannot see or understand. It is a fear of the unknown and the unseen.
DeleteI really like your question of the sky being jealous of the ocean or the other way around. Its very funny and makes you think!
DeleteIf life never changed
ReplyDeletewould you be content with what you have?
Do humans grow mentally because we have to
or so we grow because we are inspired to?
If life never changed as of now, I would not be content. I have an amazing husband and two gorgeous and intellegent children.... but I have longed to be in the healthcare field since I was 8 years old, so I would still feel like something big was missing in my life. But that is the only thing. If I were to answer this question after graduation, and working (even if in a horrible area), I would say 100% yes. The only thing missing in my life is my unfullfilled desire to help others.
DeleteI can only hope that I will be content with my life soon. I still need to work on the family aspect, but hopefully that will happen in a few years.
DeleteWhat's a better quality to invest: book smarts or street and life smarts?
ReplyDeleteIt's been said that science has made dying more painful. Are we trying too hard to evade the inevitable?
Are dreams a reflection of our subconsciousness or do we dream of our last thought before reaching a deep sleep?
The person you marry, is it fate or coincidence?
For all I know my soulmate could be in China. Does that mean I could fall for someone who isn't my soulmate?
Is this a neruda question or is it intimate reflection?
I've always wondered the same thing about meeting your sole mate. Its crazy how things work out. Some find love in the same town, and some across the world.
DeleteI liked your post about fate. You guys should look up the Japanese story of the red string of fate. This story is beautiful and makes you wonder about your fate.
DeleteI like the book smart and street smart comment. I think it will benefit everyone more if they were both. It's also important to know how to use your intelligence for good.
Delete@Jordan, it's mind-boggling right!? Just thinking about a soul mate causes me anxiety.
Delete@Rodrigo, is that the story where every one's metaphorically connected by a red string and as time progresses, the string shortens leading up to the other person?
@Abigail, that's been a disputable question between my boyfriend and me. He thinks street smarts are more valuable than book smarts :/
I have a weird outlook on soul mates. I dont think soul mates necessarily have to be "mates". I have a male best friend that fit my "Soul mate" criteria to a "T", and I his criteria... yet we just didnt and dont love each other like that. But the love we have for each other is incredably deep and real and nothing, not even our spouses can mess with it.
DeleteHow do you know what the future holds,
ReplyDeletewhen we've only started living?
In what ways do rainbows
shine over gloomy people?
What is there
when there's nothings left?
I don't know what to think about the future because they say no matter what you do, God has decided your fate even since the moment you are born.
DeleteI know that rainbows always make me happy. So hopefully if you are in a gloomy mood it will be changing.
DeleteYour last one is full of emotion and calls of deep though of one self. If we believe nothing is left, start over and dig deep.
DeleteI don't think you are actually living if you are always worried about the future.
DeleteI really enjoyed your first sentence! I like to think that we have a say and some play with what happens in our future, but you're right, you really can't know. It is an interesting thought. Do we really have any say on what happens or is it already laid out for us?
DeleteFor the depressed, or gloomy, people, Id guess that they are looking at the rainbow and saying "figures it would shine of there and not over here". Just a guess. lol
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAre we living in reality
ReplyDeleteor are we living in someone else's dream?
What happens to the darkness
when you turn on the light? Where does it go?
Are you alive or are you dead? How do you really know?
Ever thought that what you were taught, is in fact a false fact?
What if the people who have died before us,
were born into the "real world?"
If you lost the thought,
where did it go?
If you remembered it,
where did you find it?
Would a fly without wings be called a walk? (author unknown)
I hate those moments when I suddenly forget what I was going to do and after a while the thought returns. I always wonder how can a forget something so easily and fast.
DeleteHi Rodrigo! I dislike those moments as well! It seems to happen to me all the time! It especially happens when I go to my room for something and then I forget what I went in there for.
DeleteWhere does the light really go lol I think physics would answer that neruda question. I don't have a strong physics background, so I couldn't tell you.
DeleteAre we alive or dead? That made me recall a question I always think about. What if we're a part of something bigger? Just as all of our cells make up a human. Cells know they're alive, but what if we're in the same dilemma?
Me and physics are not the best of friends! Your thoughts about us being a part of something bigger are really interesting! I wonder what we would make up if this were the case.
DeleteDo good things actually come to those who wait
ReplyDeleteor can we just take the good things without waiting?
If the earth is constantly rotating, than
are we humans really moving?
Is there not enough time in the day or
are we just not making the most of that time?
Hi Abigail, I could identify with the last two verse. Sometimes I don't know what where the time has gone when I have a million things to do.
DeleteI've always wondered the same thing as well, do we as humans rotate along with the Earth as well. All of your posts were thoughtful.
DeleteI love your first Neruda question.
DeleteThat is something I have pondered about, to wait for something good to come or to go after it. Personally, I think going after something you want is the best option.
If you never loved and want somebody to love you unconditionally , do you go look for them or wait? If you look for them is it really love? How do you know? If you wait how would you know its love?
ReplyDeleteWhy does rain makes you gloomy, and sunshine brings happiness?
Are emotions depending on weather?
Did the sun love the moon so much that it died every day so the moon could breathe?( I heard it a while ago and loved it)
What does it mean to be independent,
ReplyDeletewhen we all strive for a partner?
Do we choose a partner because of love,
or is it comfort that we are used to?
Are dreams an expression of the heart,
or the reality of a thought?
Hi Gabriela, very thoughtful post. I think that no one wants to be lonely and most people want a family of their own.
DeleteI think we all want to be self-sufficient in our lives, but we also want someone to share our lives with. I think with finding a partner we just want someone to comfort us and just be there to listen. We want a partner to care for us.
DeleteI've been thinking about the definition of love too. Why do we choose that one person...
DeleteHave you ever heard of a dream dictionary?
This is brilliant. The question of "love" is quite controversial in my eyes. What is love? Does it have boundaries? Limits? Ugh, so confusing!
DeleteAre bees suicidal or ignorant of their own anatomy?
ReplyDeleteDo leaves want to fall?
If there were no evil, would we know what good is?
You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? (had to, sons totally into batman right now)
I've wondered the same question about do leaves really want to fall. I guess they have no choice.
DeleteI think that bees have a strange anatomy. I have never been able to understand why they have to die?
DeleteThat is a very good question. Bees are really interesting to me. Do they sting people because they look forward to death because they believe there is a greater experience after death? lol Or maybe you right, and they are just ignorant.
DeleteYour one about bees made me laugh. While driving today, I drove past the orchards and there was bee hives set up like always. As I passed the hives, my windshield met at least 10 bees. Were they asking for a death sentence? I too wonder what they are thinking, if they strive or look forward to death?
DeleteYour bee neruda question is a good one! Bees are vicious.
DeleteLOL at Miranda Standridge! I thought you were writing about bees in that manner due to their "miracle of flight," as well as their sting.
DeleteI loved your Neruda questions. They are all about things that happen in this life, and you managed to address them in a humorous manner.
DeleteMy favorite one was about the bees. I have always wondered why is it that they sting a person, if they die after.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnd why does the sun not shine,
ReplyDeletewhen he stares at her?
Is this melody in mezzo forte,
but she barely hears?
Does the song run out of its notes?
Why the sky doesn’t embrace the sun?
Have you noticed the rain is pouring down
and sweeping the tears?
Are those faded memories truly losing their brightness?
What an owl should do,
when it is pinning the moon?
What does it mean for an owl to be pinning the moon?
DeleteHi Nandi! I made a typo there... it has to be "..when it is pining for the moon" .... an owl is longing for the moon...
DeleteOhh okay! That makes more sense. I think owls are so beautiful btw.
DeleteCan rain fall from man's eyes whose hearts are made of stone?
ReplyDeleteWhen babies enter this world are they leaving another?
At times do we obtain success from our efforts or is it just plain luck?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that when a person is born in this world he/she is dependent, and when he/she is about to leave this world, he/she is dependent again?
To your second question.... could it be that that is when we are closest to God? Never thought of it that way. Thanks for putting that thought in my head. :)
DeleteWhere is north, when you are south?
ReplyDeleteAre dreams made from reality?
What do we do when our days aren't long enough?
(currently having this issue, anyone else in stress overload for their last weeks of the quarter?)
Why do we worry, when we should be happy?
I am currently having the issue on the second one you mentioned. Good Neruda question!
DeleteMy answer to that question would be, less sleep. Oh, how lovely. lol
For some reason I feel excruciatingly tired all the time. I don't know if it's due to last quarter, this quarter, or just life in general. Just know you're not alone.
DeleteI love your first one! This sounds like something my 13 year old would say.
DeleteI really like your second one. "Are dreams made from reality," i truly wonder that everyday.
DeleteHi Miranda! These are great! I really enjoyed reading them. I am right there with you on the stress overload! Add in some senioritis and that's exactly how my quarter seems to be ending. I hope your quarter ends well!
ReplyDeleteIf earth is not the only planet in the universe, are their other living creatures on planets that exist?
ReplyDeleteIf someone cries when they are sad, then why do we cry from laughter?
Are we born to live or born to die?
I really enjoyed the last two. Especially the question regarding if we were born to live or die. That's a good one to consider for people who die young. Was there a plan for them to live to be old and something intervened or were they born to live a short life?
DeleteDiana I was drawn to your question: "Are we born to live or born to die?"
DeleteI believe we are born to live, even though we will all die we are meant to enjoy life while we have it. I truly believe that we all are born to make the best of each day! :)
Does the sun smile from being bright and warm?
ReplyDeleteDo dreams mean anything at all or partly non-fiction, or just completely fiction?
Would people hate Friday if it took the place of Monday?
In response to your second question I would like to think its meaningless cause my dreams are really weird.
DeleteIs Earth the creation a higher power,
ReplyDeleteor that of Man?
If silence is golden,
what is that of new life?
Is it fear we are afraid of,
or the lack of knowledge we carry?
Are we born to die,
ReplyDeleteor live to die?
If there was no Sunday,
ReplyDeletewhat would happen to football?
If women knew how painful childbirth was before they got pregnant,
would the human race dwindle to nothing?
If each breath could be your last,
does holding it count for or against you?
I hope that if we didn't have sunday we would still have football!
DeleteAs far as women giving birth. I think that we still would have children. Many moms have more than one child, so they know what they are getting into for the second one. My mom always said that having them is the easy part. Raising the child after they are born is the hard part!
Kelly - Haha the first one was due to my husbands influence on our obsession with football. I'm nearly overcome with withdrawals.
DeleteAs far as children go, if I had my first child with no drugs of any kind I WOULD NOT have had my second daughter. However, I was majorly influenced by the most wonderful invention ever...the epidural and thought this is a piece of cake. I was severely mistaken when it came to my second child who was born completely natural. For a six pound baby, I thought I was dying, being torn into pieces, and most likely not going to make it. After her, I vowed never to have any more children which unfortunately I regret dearly now
Moria- i really think that if women knew how painful childbirth was, most women would not have kids.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow far is the east from the West?
ReplyDeleteIs the grass really greener on the other side?
How much of good is too much good?
Why is the enemy of my friend my enemy?
Geraldine - Great questions! My favorite is the second one because its a personal mantra that I share with nearly everyone from personal experience. My saying is "the grass is greener on the other side cause that crap is fake...the end" except I use another choice word.
DeleteDoes luck truly exist
ReplyDeletewhen opportunity meets preperation?
When a plant blooms
why does it die as quickly as it bloomed?
Is death the meaning of life?
ReplyDeleteWould we appreciate light if there was no darkness?
Why is a dying rose the symbol of love and devotion?
Your question of the rose really made me think. If roses represent love and devotion then dying roses represent the loss of that love?
DeleteWhy doesn't Monday talk itself into not coming at all?
ReplyDeleteWhy do people conceal the beauty of their roots?
Is white really as pure as it seems?
Is white really as pure as it seems?
DeleteI remember my high school teacher told me, that scientists said, black was the absence of colors, while white was the presence of all colors... so white has all colors in it.. But An artist says that white is the absence of colors.. pure white.. no colors.. so Your "Neruda" is really an artist thought.. Beautiful!
Your second question makes me think. I'm wondering what roots you're referring to that we're concealing? Is it a reference to how women wear makeup to conceal flaws?
DeleteDoes he who lack talent but devotes hard work
ReplyDeleteprevail those who are talented?
How do we know the future when the present
lingers in question?
Why do we label a man a criminal when they take a life away but a hero in war.
I guess we label a man a criminal when he takes a life, but a hero when he is in war, because when he is in war we believe he is only killing in order to protect our country.
Delete"How do we know the future when the present
Deletelingers in question?"
I love this one..
I thought your first question was really interesting. Maybe it takes talent to be devoted to working hard.
DeleteHow is less more?
ReplyDeleteWhy does the rain fall if it's going to end up being contained by the clouds?