When Bibsy Soenharjo talks about 'quiet eyes', what emotions did she intend to evoke?
In the first stanza, she wrote:
He had such quiet eyes (Line 1 Stanza 1)
They were two pools of lies(Line 3 Stanza 1)
Layered with thinnest ice (Line 4 Stanza 1)
Those quiet eyes were breathing desolate sighs (Line 6 Stanza 1)
Imploring her to be nice (Line 7 Stanza 1)
And to render him paradise (Line 8 Stanza 1)
When one describe the dark side of 'quiet', would it mean someone who is of unknown quantity?
Does' quiet' also means something to hide; of a scheming or sinister nature?
Is he someone we should fear?
Then Bibsy added the subjective judgmental value of "two pools of lies"
She topped it off with the superlative value of ' thinnest' ice atop the pools.
Then she gave life to the eyes as they wake from their silent slumber.
Breathing-desolate sighs.
Imploring
Dangerous signals
Bad body language.
What can we interpret about this man?
He is a schemer.
In quietness, like a lion awaiting a gazelle in tall grasses- a prey to kill.
The eyes reflecting danger for the prey then breaks into long deep sighs
to beguile the prey.
To set the trap.
The hunter is waiting.
He is imploring
He is "un-satiated"
He is hungry for satisfaction.
Now, let us look at the innocent girl, the mark of the hunter.
Look at these lines:
She did not realise (Line 2 Stanza 1)
If only she'd been wise (Line1 Stanza 2)
And had listened to advice (Line 2 Stanza 2)
She'd be free of the 'hows and whys' (Line 5 Stanza 2)
Interpretation:
She is a coming-of-age girl.
She is not wise
He innocence shows.
She is gullible.
She can be taken in easily by glib and sweet talk
She can be tempted with gifts and entertainment.
She is not strong and may not listen to advice
She want to experience the pleasure of life too
She is lured easily by physical attraction,songs and dance
She may be after fun, not knowing the pitfall and consequences
The result-
She fell pray to the pleasure seeking man.
On hindsight, she felt silly and began to wonder
How easily she was duped to lose her honour and dignity.
In Stanza 3, Bibsy turned wise counsel.
She has kind auntie advice for young innocent girls
Coming out into the world from protected cocoons.
Be sure that nice really means nice
Then you'll never be losing at dice
Though you may lose your heart once or twice.
What Bibsy has advocated is.
 |
| To fall in love;to lose innocence |
Know your values and principles
Uphold your values, integrity, honour and dignity
Know who you want to befriend
Know as much about them;their background and history
If you do, then you will never lose at love
For you have done the necessary background search
You may be saddened that some love affairs do fail
But in the end, you will triumph in love, on your own terms.
