Working with the poem:
- With your partner, complete the following sentences in your own words using the ideas in the poem.
(i) Do not let a though shrivel and die because ———
(ii) English is a —————— with words that everyone can play.
(iii) One has to match —– .
(iv) Words are the —— of thought
Answers
(i) Do not let a thought shrivel and die because of a want of a way to say it.
(ii) English is a wonderful game with words that everyone can play.
(iii) One has to match the brightest thoughts in your head.
(iv)Words are the food and dress of thought.
- In groups of four discuss the following lines and their meanings:-
(i) All that you do is match the words.
To the brightest thoughts in your head.
(ii) For many of the loveliest things
Have never yet been said.
(iii) And everyone’s longing today to hear
Some fresh and beautiful thing.
(iv) But only words can free a thought
From its prison behind your eyes.
Answers
(i) All that you do is match the words
To the brightest thoughts in your head.
Meanings:-The poet says that you need to look for proper and accurate words to convey your thoughts beautifully.
(ii) For many of the loveliest things
Have never yet been said.
Meanings:-The poet says that it is wrong to think that all that was worth saying has already been saying earlier. There are many lovely things waiting to be said.
(iii) And everyone’s longing today to hear
Some fresh and beautiful thing.
Meanings:-People will listen eagerly if you have got some original and striking thing to say.
(iv) But only words can free a thought
From its prison behind your eyes
Meanings:-The mind is a treasure house of wonderful ideas and plans. They are like captives in your head. Only proper words can free them from your head.