GRADE 12 IEB
2026 poetry
all 16 prescribed poems in 1 PDF
,Strangers Forever by Amin Kassam 2026
Each of us
Is a passenger
seated in one huge
compartment
going we do not know where
all strangers
thrown together by chance
who travel without arriving;
Who can read the whispers
of your mind
when they are hidden
even from you?
Though you open a window
in the chambers of your heart
though you strive to say
what you feel
and in striving reach
a state of understanding
there is still one part
one small part
that remains your own
one part
that neither I nor anyone else
will ever penetrate.
Forever strangers.
, The phrase introduces the idea that the poem
applies to every human being.
It emphasises shared human experience while also
Each of us suggesting individuality, preparing the reader for
the message that although people live together,
each person remains separate and alone inside.
This suggests that a person does not control the
direction of life, but is carried along by it.
It highlights human helplessness and uncertainty,
Is a passenger showing that individuals move through life without
fully choosing where they are going or what will
happen next.
The phrase suggests that all people share the same
life journey, existing together in one shared space.
seated in one huge
It emphasises human closeness and equality, while
compartment also hinting at lack of choice, confinement, and the
unavoidable reality of living alongside others.
The line suggests that life is uncertain and
unpredictable.
People move forward without knowing their
going we do not know destination or outcome.
where It reflects how humans continue living despite
confusion or lack of control, emphasizing
vulnerability, shared uncertainty, and the mystery
of existence.
This phrase highlights how people may share the
same space or journey yet remain unknown to one
another.
all strangers It suggests emotional distance, lack of true
understanding, and the isolation that exists
between individuals despite physical closeness or
shared experiences.
The phrase suggests that people do not choose
who shares their life journey with them. Instead,
relationships and encounters happen randomly.
thrown together by
Humans are placed beside one another by
chance circumstance, not design, which highlights the
accidental and impersonal nature of human
connections.
The phrase suggests that life is a continuous
journey with no final sense of completion or
who travel without fulfilment.
arriving; People keep moving forward through experiences,
but never reach a point of total understanding,
certainty, or emotional arrival.
, The poet suggests that a person’s deepest
Who can read the thoughts are private and often unclear even to
whispers themselves.
of your mind No one else can truly understand these quiet,
hidden thoughts, highlighting human isolation and
the limits of communication between people.
The poet suggests that people do not fully
understand their own thoughts and feelings.
when they are hidden Some emotions are unconscious or confusing,
even from you? making them difficult to recognise or explain.
This shows human self-ignorance and the limits of
self-knowledge, not only misunderstanding
between people.
This suggests that even when someone tries to be
open and share their feelings, they only reveal part
Though you open a of themselves.
window True emotions and thoughts cannot be fully
exposed, so openness is limited and complete
understanding remains impossible.
The phrase suggests a deeply private emotional
space where true feelings are kept.
in the chambers of your It shows that emotions are complex and protected,
heart and even when someone tries to share them, some
feelings remain hidden and known only to the
individual.
The poet suggests that people make a genuine
effort to express their emotions and thoughts, but
communication is difficult.
though you strive to say Even with honesty and intention, words are limited,
and what we feel inside cannot always be fully
shared or understood by others.
This suggests that trying to express emotions helps
a person understand themselves better.
what you feel and in
The effort to communicate feelings becomes a
striving reach journey of self-discovery, even if the feelings
cannot be fully explained or shared with others.
This suggests a moment when a person believes
they finally understand their own emotions or
thoughts.
a state of understanding It shows personal insight and clarity achieved
through effort, but it is temporary and incomplete,
as full self-knowledge and understanding of others
is never fully possible.
2026 poetry
all 16 prescribed poems in 1 PDF
,Strangers Forever by Amin Kassam 2026
Each of us
Is a passenger
seated in one huge
compartment
going we do not know where
all strangers
thrown together by chance
who travel without arriving;
Who can read the whispers
of your mind
when they are hidden
even from you?
Though you open a window
in the chambers of your heart
though you strive to say
what you feel
and in striving reach
a state of understanding
there is still one part
one small part
that remains your own
one part
that neither I nor anyone else
will ever penetrate.
Forever strangers.
, The phrase introduces the idea that the poem
applies to every human being.
It emphasises shared human experience while also
Each of us suggesting individuality, preparing the reader for
the message that although people live together,
each person remains separate and alone inside.
This suggests that a person does not control the
direction of life, but is carried along by it.
It highlights human helplessness and uncertainty,
Is a passenger showing that individuals move through life without
fully choosing where they are going or what will
happen next.
The phrase suggests that all people share the same
life journey, existing together in one shared space.
seated in one huge
It emphasises human closeness and equality, while
compartment also hinting at lack of choice, confinement, and the
unavoidable reality of living alongside others.
The line suggests that life is uncertain and
unpredictable.
People move forward without knowing their
going we do not know destination or outcome.
where It reflects how humans continue living despite
confusion or lack of control, emphasizing
vulnerability, shared uncertainty, and the mystery
of existence.
This phrase highlights how people may share the
same space or journey yet remain unknown to one
another.
all strangers It suggests emotional distance, lack of true
understanding, and the isolation that exists
between individuals despite physical closeness or
shared experiences.
The phrase suggests that people do not choose
who shares their life journey with them. Instead,
relationships and encounters happen randomly.
thrown together by
Humans are placed beside one another by
chance circumstance, not design, which highlights the
accidental and impersonal nature of human
connections.
The phrase suggests that life is a continuous
journey with no final sense of completion or
who travel without fulfilment.
arriving; People keep moving forward through experiences,
but never reach a point of total understanding,
certainty, or emotional arrival.
, The poet suggests that a person’s deepest
Who can read the thoughts are private and often unclear even to
whispers themselves.
of your mind No one else can truly understand these quiet,
hidden thoughts, highlighting human isolation and
the limits of communication between people.
The poet suggests that people do not fully
understand their own thoughts and feelings.
when they are hidden Some emotions are unconscious or confusing,
even from you? making them difficult to recognise or explain.
This shows human self-ignorance and the limits of
self-knowledge, not only misunderstanding
between people.
This suggests that even when someone tries to be
open and share their feelings, they only reveal part
Though you open a of themselves.
window True emotions and thoughts cannot be fully
exposed, so openness is limited and complete
understanding remains impossible.
The phrase suggests a deeply private emotional
space where true feelings are kept.
in the chambers of your It shows that emotions are complex and protected,
heart and even when someone tries to share them, some
feelings remain hidden and known only to the
individual.
The poet suggests that people make a genuine
effort to express their emotions and thoughts, but
communication is difficult.
though you strive to say Even with honesty and intention, words are limited,
and what we feel inside cannot always be fully
shared or understood by others.
This suggests that trying to express emotions helps
a person understand themselves better.
what you feel and in
The effort to communicate feelings becomes a
striving reach journey of self-discovery, even if the feelings
cannot be fully explained or shared with others.
This suggests a moment when a person believes
they finally understand their own emotions or
thoughts.
a state of understanding It shows personal insight and clarity achieved
through effort, but it is temporary and incomplete,
as full self-knowledge and understanding of others
is never fully possible.
