Why does the poet count up to twelve?

The poet in the poem “Keeping Quiet” counts up to twelve because this span of time would enable everyone to calm down and be ready for introspection. The twelve in the poem has a special significance, as this number is associated with many things in our lives. We have twelve months in a year; the zodiac signs are twelve, twelve gates of heaven and even the marks on the clock are twelve that divides a day into two halves of twelve hours each. Even, the title of the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet,’ is made of twelve letters. It is at twelve that the hands of the clock, despite their differences, become one. According to the poet this extended counting will give us the moments of silence to journey from conflict, impediments and devastation to solidarity, peace and renewal.