You are on page 1of 4

SPM English 1119 2011 Poetry

Copyright2011 Students English Resource (SER) (SA0134544-M). Tel: 019-6879540




He Had Such Quiet Eyes
-by Bibsy Soenharjo

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 him paradise

If only shed been wise
And had listened to the advice
Never to compromise
With pleasure-seeking guys
Shed be free from the hows and whys

Now heres a bit of advice
Be sure that nice really means nice
Then youll never be losing at dice
Though you may lose your heart once or twice

SPM English 1119 2011 Poetry

Copyright2011 Students English Resource (SER) (SA0134544-M). Tel: 019-6879540




This is a straightforward didactic poem that can be understood literally. It is the poets skilful use of
poetic devices that gives the poem its literary quality.
Overview
The persona speaks about a girl or young woman who fell for a man with quiet eyes. Unfortunately,
the young woman did not listen to advice and was betrayed by the man who was not sincere as he was
one of those pleasure seeking guys. The persona ends by giving advice to other women to be alert
and not to fall into the same trap: make sure that the man is good and sincere before making a
commitment.
Critical Analysis-What it really means
The poem He Had Such Quiet Eyes is about the naivety of a young woman who fell in love too
hastily. The poet describes the mans quiet eyes as two pools of lies/Layered with thinnest ice. One
immediately sees the vivid image of a cool, young man who had those glazed eyes of someone in
love- only in this case, the young man was only out to have fun and not serious about a relationship.
The imagery of the mans eyes layered with thinnest ice suggests that the man was disguising his true
feelings. Unfortunately, for the girl, those eyes with thinnest ice were the eyes of love breathing
desolate sighs, asking her to be nice and to make him happy(render him paradise).
There is a tone of regret and admonishment in the second stanza when the poet says If only shed
been wise/ And had listened to the advice/Never to compromise/With pleasure-seeking guys. But she
was fooled by the mans quiet eyes, layered with thinnest ice. The woman had been advised not to
compromise with fun-loving guys, but she did not listen to the advice. If she had, Shed be free from
the hows and whys; she would not be shaking her head and asking how and why she had been
cheated.
In the final stanza, we have the poet speaking directly and giving advice to all young women. She is
not talking about the woman in the poem anymore. The woman described in the poem is used as an
example to all women who are seeking love: Now heres a bit of advice/ Be sure that nice really
means nice. Do not be fooled by looks and sweet words. Judge the man by his honesty and sincerity:
Be sure that nice really means nice. However, the poet shows her understanding by saying that
sometimes life or love is a game of chance, but women do not have to lose every time they play
the game of chance (love) : Then youll never be losing at dice/ Though you may lose your heart
once or twice.






SPM English 1119 2011 Poetry

Copyright2011 Students English Resource (SER) (SA0134544-M). Tel: 019-6879540



PRACTICE
1. What are the words used by the poet to describe the mans eyes in the first stanza?
A
B
C
2. Quote the words used in the first stanza where the mans eyes are personified.
3. In the first stanza, the poet uses metaphor to describe the mans eyes. Quote the two lines which
are metaphorical.
4. What is the meaning of paradise?
5. What is the meaning of imploring in the first stanza?
6. What does two pools of lies refer to?
7. What advice was given to the girl or woman in the poem?
8. What does the poet mean by the hows and the whys?
9. Quote the words in stanza two that describes the speakers disappointment with the woman.
10. Explain the words nice really means nice.
11. The dice is used here as a symbol to refer to
A. the girls heart
B. falling in love
C. playing dice-throwing games
12. What is the theme of this poem?
A. It is about a man and a woman.
B. It is about love and betrayal.
C. It is about playing the game of dice.




SPM English 1119 2011 Poetry

Copyright2011 Students English Resource (SER) (SA0134544-M). Tel: 019-6879540


ANSWERS
1. A. quiet eyes
B. They were two pools of lies
C. Layered with thinnest ice
2. those quiet eyes/Were breathing desolate sighs/ Imploring her to be nice
(NOTE: To personify an animal or thing is to treat it as if it is a person. Here the eyes are
described as if they can breathe or talk.)
3. The mans quiet eyes are described metaphorically in these lines: They were two pools of lies/
Layered with thinnest ice.
NOTE: What is a metaphor? Look at these two sentences:
Life is a river. (metaphor)
Life is like a river. (simile)
4. begging. (The man is begging her to be nice to him.)
5. The word paradise refers to a situation or experience that will make the man very happy or blissful.
6. The man is described as dishonest as his eyes were two pools of lies.
7. She was advised not to compromise with guys who were out to have fun- or pleasure-seeking guys.
8. The hows and the whys refer to the reasons or explanations for a failed relationship.
9. If only shed been wise/And had listened to the advice (Note: Well, the woman didnt take the
advice. Thats why the speaker in the poem is disappointed.)
10. The words mean that the girl/woman must not be easily fooled by the mans sweet talk or
promises. The woman must make sure that the mans words are honest or sincere.
11. B. falling in love. (Note: The act of falling in love is like a game of chance- throwing the dice.
There is no guarantee that it will work, so the more reason that one should be careful.)
12. B. It is about love and betrayal.

You might also like