HE HAD SUCH QUIET EYES BIBSY SOENHARJO

ByZARINA MOHAMED YUSUF

HE HAD SUCH QUIET EYES

STANZA 1

He had such quiet eyes

She did not realise

They were two pools of lies

Layered with thinnest ice

To her, those quiet eyes

Were breathing desolate sighs

Imploring her to be nice

And to render paradise

Layered covering the surface

desolate feeling sad, lonely, empty

Imploring begging

Render to give something

Layered with thinnest ice

he is a dangerous man

They were two pools of lies

He is cold-hearted and a fraud

Were breathing desolate sighs

She thinks the man is unhappy

Imploring her to be niceAnd to render paradise

She thinks she is his “angel” who can make him happy and show him paradise

STANZA 1 - MEANING

The man portrays himself to be a quiet and sincere person who is unhappy in life. He pretends to be in need of a person who will give him happiness.

The woman, does not realise his insincerity and deception. She is taken up by his appearance. She thinks that she is the man’s “angel” and “saviour” who can show him “paradise”

STANZA 2

If only she’d been wiseAnd had listened to the adviceNever to compromiseWith pleasure-seeking guysShe’d be free from “the hows and whys”

If only she’d been wise

IF – implies a feeling of regretFor the young lady, this could be her first

experience concerning love and emotionsAnd had listened to the advice

If she had listened to advice given by her parents, family and friends, she would not have had to undergo the present heartache

Never to compromise

It is a warning. Don’t give in

With pleasure-seeking guys

men who want girls for fun and they just want a good time. They are not serious in their relationship

She’d be free from “the hows and whys”

She wanted to find out why there was a break-up and who was at fault

STANZA 2 - MEANINGThe young girl regretted. If only she had

listened to advice given by her parents, family and friends, she would not have had to undergo the present heartache.

There was a warning given to her, not to get emotionally close to men who just want fun and a good time from a girl

If only she had been careful, she would not have had to suffer as her relationship with the man ended

STANZA 3

Now here’s a bit of adviceBe sure that nice really means niceThen you’ll never be losing at diceThough you may lose your heart once or

twice

Be sure that nice really means nice

One must understand the TRUE meaning of nice. Make sure that the person you think is nice, is truly sincere and trustworthy

Then you’ll never be losing at dice

Then you will not lose in a game of love and lose your heart

Though you may lose your heart once or twice

Though you may lose your heart once or twice, eventually you will find the right person and true love

STANZA 3 - MEANINGAdvice is given to the young girl and

readers of the poem. You should know the meaning of nice as it could only be on the surface. Love is a gamble, as you may win or even lose now and then.

You must take up the chance of falling in love but there is no guarantee. You may win or lose but the experience will help you grow wiser and eventually find your true love.

THE END

You will find your true love but you have to be careful so that you will not

be cheated and broken hearted