old newspaper poem by arun kolatkar summary
Answers
Old Newspapers
Beware of the old newspapers
stacked
on that little three legged stool over there.
Don’t disturb them.
I know it for a fact
that snakes have spawned in between these
sheets.
Don’t even look in that direction.
It’s not because of breeze
that their corners are fluttering.
It’s alive, that nest of newspapers.
New born snakes, coiling and uncoiling,
are turning their heads to look at you.
That white corner has spread its hood.
A forked tongue
shoots out of its mouth.
Keep your eyes closed.
Get rid of the whole pile if you
want to
in the morning.
Summary:
The poet Arun Kolatkar is talking about the old newspaper which is stacked on the three legged stool. He talks about the news written on them. How vicious they can be. He compares the news with snakes and says how they affected the society. The gist of the poem is that don't dwell in the past, live in the present. Don't look into the bad news and lament about. They were bad and will definitely will bring the bad memories. Lastly, he wants to get rid of them, so that there is no source of the news to bring back the bad news.
Answer:
The poem, 'an old woman' written by the Indian poet, Arun Kolatkar symbolizes the differences between the modern world thoughts and the hardships faced by the ancient Indian society.
The tourist who never had to endure poverty and the hardships couldn't fathom the extent of the miseries the old woman had to face in her life.
Perhaps that's the reason why initially he tried to shoo her away but later, when he looked into her 'bullet hole' eyes, he could see straight through her soul.
Explanation: