a. When does the speaker grow soft? Enlist the occasions when he grows soft.
Answer: The speaker grows soft when he hears the tumult and crashes on the mysterious stillness. He becomes soft When the sky grows like the flowers over the stones and grows five inches taller.
b. What do you understand by ‘this seamless city’?
Answer: This seamless city indicates an interruption-free city or city without rules and regulations.
c. Describe the poor children portrayed in the poem.
Answer: The speaker presents the pathetic condition of poor people. Children are homeless as well as parentless. They are suffering from the food crisis.
d. What do you understand by ‘the unwedded gardens of history’?
Answer: The unwedded gardens of history means system free city or place where people are free to do whatever they like without following the system and rules.
e. Why was the forlorn child wailing?
Answer: The forlorn (poor) child was wailing (crying) because he lost his mother. He is searching for his mother.
f. What do you understand by ‘soft storm’?
Answer: Soft storm is the speaker’s hidden anger against the system. He is angry but he doesn’t show it outside.
g. Why does the speaker call our time ‘mad time’?
Answer: The speaker calls our time ‘mad time’ because he finds a society without the rule of law. He finds misuse of power. He is moved by inhuman activities around him.
h. What does the speaker want to do in “hard times”?
Answer: In “hard Times”, the speaker wants to melt like a rainbow to present his true nature. He wants to give proper shape to his anger. Instead of showing a furious reactions, he gives creativity in hard times.
i. What is the speaker like? Is he a rebel? Why? Why not?
Answer: Yes, the speaker looks like a rebel because of his detailed presentation of his society. He depicts every detail. He finds misuse of power. He is moved by inhuman activities around him.