Poems for SPM

Poems for SPM1119/2

PREPARED BY

NONAMESCHOOL

1MOHD NAWAWI BIN HUSSINSMK CHENDERING, KUALA TERENGGANU

2NAJIHAH BINTI TALAHASMK TENGKU BARIAH, KUALA TERENGGANU

3HEDZLIN SHAZWANI BINTI ADZLAN SMK SULTAN MANSOR, KUALA TERENGGANU

4PAUZIMA BINTI ZAKARIASMK PANJI ALAM, KUALA TERENGGANU

FOREWORD

Teaching English nowadays gets more and more challenging. In our school syllabus we also have to teach English Literature Component which consists of poems, short stories, plays and novel.

The teaching of literature is important because students have a chance to study the language as well as learn new cultures. It also provides the students with many examples of good sentence structures, correct usage of grammar and vocabulary. The teaching of literature would definitely help students to improve their language skills. Therefore, a good introduction to literature can compensate for the deficiencies of the linguistic approach in the area of grammar, vocabulary and syntax and it can augment the students' competence in English.

Moreover, literature exposes students to complex themes and exemplary uses of language. Great novels such as The Curse and Around the World in 80 Days can take students to foreign countries, exciting events and wonderful journeys. These stories evoke certain dilemmas and powerful emotional responses which students can reflect.

I strongly believe that using literature to teach students can help them to become more sensitive to some of the overall features of the English Language and enhance their linguistics ability. The aim of this module is to simplify the teaching and learning of the literature components for both the teachers and students. I do hope the module will play a pivotal part in our English Language classrooms.

Finally, I would like to thank all English teachers who are involved in the publication of the module. Your excellent contribution is greatly appreciated.

By

English Language Unit

Academic Management Sector

Terengganu State Education Department

(Free circulation for educational purposes only) IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP

By Latiff Mohidin

About the Poet

Latiff Mohidin was born on 25 August 1941 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. He was graduated from University of Fine, Berlin. He has served as Writer in Residence at the Science University of Malaysia (USM), the National University of Malaysia (UKM), and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. He is not only a well-known poet in Malaysia and South-east Asia but also a famous artist. Many of his poems have won the Putra I Poetry Award.Poem

In the Midst of Hardship

At dawn they returned hometheir soaky clothes tornand approached the stovetheir limbs marked by scratchestheir legs full of woundsbut on their browsthere was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passedthey had to brave the horrendous floodin the water all the timebetween bloated carcassesand tiny chips of tree barksdesperately looking for their son'salbino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardshipand grew up without a sigh or a complaintnow they are in the kitchen, makingjokes while rolling their cigarette leavesUnderstanding the poem in picturesSTANZA 1

At dawn they returned hometheir soaky clothes tornand approached the stovetheir limbs marked by scratchestheir legs full of woundsbut on their browsthere was not a sign of despair

The family returned home at day break. Their clothes were wet and torn.

They were hungry and tired. They quickly walked towards the stove for warmth and food.Their bodies were covered with scratches and wounds. Yet, they did not display any signs of being worried.

STANZA 2

The whole day and night just passedthey had to brave the horrendous floodin the water all the timebetween bloated carcassesand tiny chips of tree barksdesperately looking for their son'salbino buffalo that was never found

They spent the whole day and night searching for their sons albino buffalo that was never found. They were surrounded by dead animals and parts of trees that had been destroyed by the flood.

STANZA 3

They were born amidst hardshipand grew up without a sigh or a complaintnow they are in the kitchen, makingjokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

Even though, they were born in hard times, they did not complain about their lives.They were still cheerful and made jokes as they relaxed and smoked their cigarettes.

Activity 1 - Test Your VocabularyMatch the pictures with the wordsA) Wounds

B) Stove

C) Flood

D) Carcasses

E) Cigarette

F) Tree barks

G) Scratches

ACTIVITY 2Answer the questions below1. (i) What natural disaster had occurred?

. [1 mark]

(ii) In stanza 2; which line shows that an animal had gone missing during the natural disaster.

. [1 mark]

2. Despite the conditions of the people in the poem, did they give up? Give a reason for your answer.

.. [2 marks]3.From Stanza 1, which line shows that they were patient?

. [1 mark]

4.From Stanza 2, they had been outside the house.

(i) How long had they been out?

. [1 mark]

(ii) What were they doing outside?

. [1 mark] 5.In stanza 1, why are their clothes soaking wet?

. [1 mark]

6.Which phrase in the poem refers to dead animals?

. [1 mark]7.Do you think the parents love their son so much in the poem? Give a reason for your answer.

.. [2 marks]8.Where do you think is the setting of the poem.

. [1 mark]

9.Why are their limbs and legs full of scratches and wounds?

. [1 mark]10.What was unusual about the buffalo?

. [1 mark]

11.Do you think that the buffalo was important to the family? Why?

.. [2 marks]

ANSWERSActivity 1A. Flood

B. Wounds

C. Stove

D. Cigarette

E. Carcasses

F. Tree barks

G. Scratches

Activity 21. (i) Flood/ flash flood

(ii) Albino buffalo that was never found2. Accept any reasonable answer. Do not award marks if no reason is given.

3. And grew up without a sigh or complain

4. (i) the whole day and night(ii) looking for their sons albino buffalo5. Because they have to wade the flood/ it was raining heavily/ they had to brave the horrendous flood6. Bloated carcasses7. Yes/No. Accept any suitable answer. Award either 2 or 0. Do not ward mark for yes/no answer only.8. House/ village9. They were surrounded by dead animals, parts of trees and got scratch because of sharp/thorny objects in the flood water. (accept any suitable answer)

10. White in colour11. Accept any reasonable answer. Do not award marks if no reason is givenABOUT THE POETBIBSY SOENHARJO

Born 22November 1928 in Jakarta,Indonesia.she was the daughter of Haji Agus Salim,one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Indonesia.

Bibsy and her siblings were taught at home and they were taught at home and they were encouraged to pursue their own interests.

Writes under the pen name NUSAPATI for the Indonesian dailies.

After returning home from a four-year stay in Japan, she began writing first prose in 1957 and then poetry in the sixties.

Her Indonesian works have been translated into English,Dutch and and Japanese.

Now lives in Jakarta with Haryo Soenharjo the youngest of her three sons and his wife,Sutji and their children.

He had such quiet eyes (Bibsy Soenharjo)Stanza 1He had such quiet eyes (lelaki itu mempunyai mata yg kuyu/baik)She did not realize (perempuan itu tidak menyedari)They were two pools of lies (terdapat penuh penipuan dimatanya)Layered with thinnest ice (dilapisi dgn ais nipis/perempuan itu dlm bahaya)To her, those quiet eyes (baginya, mata lelaki itu)Were breathing desolate sighs (menunjukkan kesedihan/kesunyian/kegersangan)Imploring her to be nice (meminta dia supaya berbuat baik/tunduk)And to render him paradise(dan memberi dia syurga/kenikmatan /memenuhi keinginannya)

Stanza 2

If only shed been wise (kalaulah dia pandai menilai/bijaksana)And had listened to the advice (dan mendengar nasihat)Never to compromise (iaitu tidak bertolak ansur/tidak membiarkan dirinya tergoda)With pleasure-seeking guys (dengan lelaki buaya darat/yg suka keseronokan)Shed be free from the hows and whys(dia akan bebas dr masalah yg membelenggu dirinya)

Stanza 3

Now heres a bit of advice (Dengarlah nasihat yg ingin disampaikan)Be sure that nice really nice (pastikan baik bermakna benar2 baik/ikhlas)Then youll never be losing at dice (kamu tidak akan kecewa dalam percintaan)Though you lose your heart once or twice (walaupun kamu mungkin kecundang/patah hati sekali atau lebih dlm percintaan)

SYNOPSISIn this poem, the poet talks about the betrayal of a young girls feelings for a man. She believes in his sincerity to her as he had pleaded to her to surrender to him. She is taken in by his quiet eyes. If she had listened to advice about men who seekpleasure, she would not be in this situation. The poet advises all young girls to be careful and not be betrayed by men.

THEME Betrayal of love Personal experiences

Relationships that are meaningful

MORAL VALUES Dont be naive and believe everything we are told especially in matters of the heart. We must be careful when choosing friends.

Falling in love is normal but one should be careful.

We must learn from the experience of other people.

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE Reflective Sad and happy

Sympathetic

POINT OF VIEW Second and third person points of viewLANGUAGE & STYLE Simple and easy to understand Simple style with rhyming scheme

POETIC DEVICES Imagery e.g. pools of lies, layered in thinnest ice Symbol e.g quiet eyes, dice

Alliteration e.g lies layered

Activity 1 Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the poem.

He had such .eyesShe did not realiseThey were two ..of liesLayered with iceTo her, those quiet eyesWere breathing .sighsImploring her to be niceAnd to ..him paradiseIf only shed been wiseAnd had to the adviceNever to compromiseWith .guysShed be free from the .

Now heres a bit of..Be sure that nice really niceThen youll never be losing at .... you lose your heart once or twice

Activity 2 Find the most suitable meaning to each quotes

1. two pools of lies in stanza 1 refers to

a) two people telling lies

b) a pair of eyes that are full of lies2. eyes that were breathing desolate sighs means

a)eyes that reflect sadness

b)eyes that only see sadness3. to render him paradise is the same as

a)to show him heaven.

b)to grant him a state of bliss4. The word quiet in the phrases he had such quiet eyes in stanza 1 means

a)sad

b)calm5. The hows and whys refer to

a)the questions we usually ask

b)the difficult question-to-solve problems of lifeActivity 3 Match correct symbolism with its meaning.Symbolism

Meaning1.quiet eyes

a)a state of bliss

2.pools of lies

b)losing at a game of chance

3.thinnest eyes c)areas of deceit4.eyes breathing desolate sighs d)a difficult situation where solutions are not easily found

5.paradise

e)eyes that pour out sadness

6.the hows and whys

f)a thin veil that is easy to see through

7.losing at dice g)eyes that do not show much emotions

Activity 4Imagine you are the persona.Write a letter to the editor of the Dear Thelma column telling her of your broken heart.Describe to her how you were seduced by a man with charming eyes and ask for her advice on how to get over your heart broken.You need to refer to the poem He had such quiet eyes

Dear Thelma,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please help me, I am really very desperate.

From

Broken-heart Activity 5Answer the questions given.He had such quiet eyes She did not realize 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

a.What did the girl think of the mans eyes?

____________________________________________________________b.What were the eyes asking of the girl? ____________________________________________________________

c.Which word means give or grant? ____________________________________________________________

d.Write two words that are related to feelings of happiness?

____________________________________________________________

e.What do you think the man said to convince the girl to accept him? ____________________________________________________________

Activity 6Answer the questions given.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

a.What does the girl regret not doing? ____________________________________________________________

b.What do pleasure seeking guys normally do to nave girls? ____________________________________________________________________________

c.Do you think the girl will make the same mistake again? Why? ____________________________________________________________________________

d.The poet uses two expressions to show the girls confused thoughts. What are these expressions? _____________________________________________________________________________ANSWERSActivity 1 (refer to the poem)Activity 2

1)b2)a3)b4)b5)b

Activity 3

1)g2)c3)f4)e5)a6)d7)b

Activity 4 accept any suitable answersActivity 5

a.she thought he had quiet or sincere-looking eyes.

b.Begging her to accept the man.

c. render

d. nice and paradise

e. In your own words give a reason to support your answer (use any suitable answer)

Activity 6

a. She regrets not listening to advice.

b. the man probably said she was in love with her and she should show her feelings physically as he had asked her to render him paradise.

c. No, because she gives advice to the girls out there/she regrets for not listening the advice/she has learnt her lesson.

d. if only and the hows and whys

NATURE : By HD. CarberryThe Poet:

NATURE

Synopsis

Jamaica has no four seasons like spring, summer, autumn and winter. Instead, the year is divided into cycles or short periods of bright, golden sunshine beating down on the canefields, followed by days of heavy rain which beats noisily on the roof-tops. Though Jamaica does not have all four seasons as in other countries, it is just as beautiful as compared to those with hot and wet days.

Then, there are periods when the leaves from the guango trees fall and the canefields become bare after the harvest. According to the poet, the best time is when the mango and logwood blossom with growth of grass and flowers and the sound of buzzing bees and the fragrance of honey.

There is beauty and fine weather all around.

UNDERSTANDING THE POEM:

The poemmeanings

We have neither summer nor winter

Neither Autumn nor SpringWe (in Jamaica) dont have four seasons of summer, winter, autumn or spring

We have instead the days

Instead, we only have variety of days:

When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-

There are days when the sun shines brightly on the rich green fields of sugarcane.

Magnificently

It is a beautiful and magnificent sight

The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs

There are days of heavy rain which beats rapidly and noisily on the roof-tops

And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies

The only sound heard (during rainy days) is that of water flowing in the gullies

And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds

There are times when trees struggle to stay rooted in the strong Jamaican winds

Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees

There are days when leaves fall from guango trees

And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun

And the harvested canefields lie empty and unproductive in the sun

But the best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossom

But the best times in our country is when the mango trees and the logwood blossom and flower

When the bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey

(still the best moment) The bushes are filled with the buzzing of bees and wonderful smell of honey

When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air

When the tall grass moves gracefully to the gentlest breeze

When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars

When the buttercups lace the ground with yellow stars

And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone

Beauty comes immediately after the rain stops

From the poems:1) Instead of having no regular four seasons in a year, Jamaica has a changing days of hot sunny days and cold rainy days.

2) During sunny days, the sun is very hot and is described like gold - it shines brightly.

3) On the other hand, the rain comes in a torrential shower like bullets shooting on the roof of houses

4) There are also sad moments for the poet: strong windy days which make it difficult for trees to stay rooted on the ground, leaves fall from trees and barren harvested canefields lie fallow to the sun.

5) The best moment in Jamaica :

i) When the mango trees and the logwood blossom bearing fruits

ii) When the smell of honey emerges from the bushes

iii) When the gentle breeze of air sways the tall grass

iv) When the earth is filled with a buttercups

6) Those four moment marks the coming of beautiful days in Jamaica (the poet loves the situation)

7) Words list :

1. Lush (Adj) abundant, dense, flourishing, verdant, luxurious, opulent, plush

2. Canefields (Noun) sugarcane fields or plantations

3. Magnificently (Adv) splendidly, gloriously, gorgeously, imposingly, impressively, majestically, regally, excellently, brilliantly, finely, outstandingly, superbly

4. Beats (Verb) - hits, bangs, batter, knocks, pounds, strikes, thrashes

5. Swish (Noun) - to move or make something move quickly through the air with a quiet sound

6. Gullies (Noun) channel, ditch, gutter, watercourse.

7. Struggling (Noun) fighting, battling, competing, contending, grappling, wrestling

8. Fade (Verb) pale, bleach, discolour, lose colour, wash out, dwindle, decline, die away, disappear, vanish, vane

9. Guango trees (Noun) a type of tree unique to Jamaica

10. Reaped (Adj) collected, brought in, garnered, gathered, harvested

11. Bare (Adj) naked, nude, stripped

12. Fallows (Adj) uncultivated, dormant, idle, inactive, resting, implanted, unused

13. Logwood (Noun) a type of tree unique to Jamaica

14. Blossom (Verb) flower, bloom, bud

15. Scent (Noun) fragrance, aroma, odour, perfume, smell

16. Sways (Verb) leans, bends, rocks, rolls, swings

17. Shivers (Verb) trembles, quakes, quivers, shakes, shudders, flutters

18. Slightest (Adj) smallest, most feeble, most insignificant, most meager, slimmest, most trivial, most unimportant

19. Breath (Noun) respiration, breathing, exhalation, gasp, gulp, inhalation, pant, wheeze

20. Buttercups (Noun) small shiny yellow wild flowers

21. Paved (Verb) covered, concreted, floored, surfaced, tiledENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES:

Activity 1:

Match the verbs found in the poem with the meanings.

1shines (line 4)

swings

2beats (line 6)

covered

3struggling (line 9)

glows

4fade (line 10)

appears

5

lie (line 12)

wilt

6blossom (line 14)

battling

7sways (line 17)

hits

8shivers (line 17)

remain

9paved (line 19)

shakes

10comes (line 21)

disappeared

11gone (line 21)

bloom

Activity 2:

Fill in the blanks with the words

From the poem, we know that the persona is a nature lover. He is able to describe the seasons so vividly that the readers can (1)________________ it in their mind. First, he says that the four seasons in his country is not literally there. However, there are (2)________________ days. There are days when the sun shines right through the green (3)________________ . it is a magnificent sight. Then, there are days when it rains heavily. The persona says it is as if (4)__________________ are hitting the roofs. The sound of water in the gullies is like music to his ears. If there are days with sunshine and rain, there are also days when the (5)_____________ takes over. After the wind, comes the sad days because the trees start (6)________________ their leaves. Meanwhile, the canefield has been (7)_____________, making it look so bare and empty. However, the sad days are not forever. The persona is (8)__________________ when the trees begin to flower and bear fruit. Insects can now be found among bushes. The beautiful sight of the tall (9)___________ swaying is awesome. Soon, the ground is carpeted with yellow (10)____________. The persona is overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of nature as teh rain is forgotten for a while.

Activity 3:

Match the sentences parts in Column A to the correct sentence parts in Column B.

Then, write the sentences in one paragraph

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Activity 4: Write TRUE or FALSE in the space provided

1. The personas country experiences the four season

_________

2. Days in Jamaica may be hot or wet

_________

3. The sunshine is described as magnificent

_________

4. The water flow through the gullies with a swishing sound

_________

5. The guango trees are bare because of the strong wind

_________

6. The persona sounds sad when he talks about the bare canefield

_________

7. After the canes are harvested, the fields are left to fallow

_________

8. The tall grass sways throughout the year

_________

9. The buttercups shine like stars only in the night

_________

10. The beautiful days are associated with the blossoming of flowers

_________

Activity 5: Find words or phrases from the poem which have the same meaning as the words given.

1. Season when vegetation begins to appear :

____________________

2. Extremely beautiful :

____________________

3. Move with rushing sound:

____________________

4. Ravines:

____________________

5. Harvested:

____________________

6. Ploughed and exposed to sunlight:

____________________

7. Produce flowers:

____________________

8. Plants come alive:

____________________

9. Move rhythmically forwards and backward:

____________________

10. A cup shaped flower:

____________________

Activity 6: Answer the following questions:

1. What point is the poet stressing on in the first two lines?

___________________________________________________________________

2. What seasons Jamaica has?

___________________________________________________________________

3. What colour is the canefields when it is ready for harvest?

___________________________________________________________________

4. What is the condition of the rain in Jamaica?

___________________________________________________________________

5. Where is the sound of water swishing heard?

___________________________________________________________________

6. What causes the trees to struggle?____________________________________________________________________7. What kind of movement is made by the tall grass when it sways and shivers?_____________________________________________________________________

8. In Jamaica, the phase when leaves fall off trees is similar to which season?_____________________________________________________________________

9. What attract the bees to the bushes?_____________________________________________________________________

10. What happens after the rain has gone?____________________________________________________________________Exam based Questions:

Read the poem below and answer the following sets of questionnaires:

Set 1:1. What are the two seasons found in Jamaican?

________________________________________________________(1 mark)

2. Which phrase tells you that the wind blows strongly?

________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. How do the canefields look after being harvested?

________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

4. Would you like to live in a country with different weather conditions? Why?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________(2 marks)

Set 2:1. What does the poet compare the rain to?

_________________________________________________________(1 mark)

2. What has happened to the guango trees?

_________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. Why are the canefields bare?

__________________________________________________________(1 mark)

4. What do you think are the feelings of the poet for this place? Give a reason for your answer

_________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

Set 3 :1. Which of the four seasons are equivalent to Jamaicas wet and hot seasons?

__________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2. Write two words that are related to the appearance of the canefields?

i) ____________________________________________________( 1 mark)

ii) ____________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. Why do you think the poet feels that Jamaica does not need to have the four seasons? In your own words, give a reason to support your answer.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

Set 4:1. Which line indicates that there are bright sunny days?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2. When it rains, where does the rain water usually flow into?

___________________________________________________________(1 mark)

3. What type of winds does Jamaica have?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

4. In your own words, describe the sad moment for the poet based on your understanding of the poem.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

Set 5:1. What are the weather conditions in Jamaica?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2. Which phrase suggests a crop-free land?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. What does the phrase and there is no sound indicate?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

4. Do you agree that sunny days are better compared to rainy days? Why? ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

ANSWERSEnrichment AcitivitiesActivity 1 :

1.shines glows

2.beats hits

3.struggling battling

4.fade wilt

5.lie remain

6.blossom bloom 7.sways swings

8.shivers shakes

9.paved covered

10.comes appears

11.gone disappeared

Activity 2 :

Activity 3:

1. Jamaica does not have summer, winter, autumn and spring2. Instead, Jamaica has seasons of bright, sunny days and wet, rainy days3. The magnificent sun shines on fields rich with sugarcane waiting to be harvested4. The rain is heavy beats forcefully on the roofs of houses5. On rainy days, one can only hear the sound of water flowing in gullies6. The trees struggle to remain standing in the strong Jamaican winds7. There are times when the guango trees shed their leaves and the harvested canefields are left bare.8. The best days are days when trees blossom and the bushes are full of bees and the fragrance of honey

9. The tall grass moves to the slightest breeze10. The fields are covered with yellow buttercups that look like starsActivity 4:

1. FALSE

2. TRUE

3. TRUE

4. TRUE

5. FALSE

6. TRUE

7. TRUE

8. FALSE

9. FALSE

10. TRUE

Activity 5:

1. Spring

2. Magnificent

3. swish

4. Gullies

5. reaped

6. Fallow to the sun

7. blossom

8. Bushes are full

9. sway

10. Buttercup

Activity 6:

1. Jamaica does not have the regular four seasons of the year.

2. Bright, sunny days and wet, rainy days

3. Green

4. Heavy rain

5. In the gullies

6. The strong wind

7. It moves gently

8. autumn

9. The nectar in the flowers

10. The Surroundings look beautiful

Exam based questions

Set 1:

1. hot, sunny days and wet, rainy days

2. the high Jamaican winds

3. bare and fallow

4. Accept any possible answers

Set 2 :

1. bullets

2. the leaves fall off from it

3. it is harvested

4. Accept any possible answers

Set 3:

1. winter and summer

2. i) lush

ii) reaped

3. Jamaica has a very beautiful surroundings with the changing climate of sunny days and rainy days and there are times when Jamaican people can experience the fruits and smell of honey.

Set 4:

1. When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields2. Into the gullies

3. Strong

4. When guango trees shed their leaves and when the harvested canefields are left bare and fallow to the sun.

Set 5:

1. Hot , sunny days and wet, rainy days

2. Bare and fallow3. There is no activities and everyone is indoors

4. Accept any logical answersARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE

Are you still playing your flute?When there is hardly time for our loveI am feeling guiltyTo be longing for your songThe melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bambooUncovered by the breath of an artistComposed by his fingersBlown by the windTo the depth of my heart

Are you still playing your flute?In the village so quiet and desertedAmidst the sick rice fieldWhile here it has become a luxuryTo spend time watching the rainGazing at the evening raysCollecting dew dropsOr enjoying the fragrance of flowers

Are you still playing your flute?The more it disturbs my conscienceto be thinking of youin the hazard of youmy younger brothers unemployed and desperatemy people disunited by politicsmy friend slaughtered mercilesslythis world is too old and bleeding

Is this the end of our love

time is forcing us, as artists

to live outside ourselves

(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

translated by Zurinah HassanTHE ORIGINAL VERSIONMASIHKAH KAU BERMAIN SERULING

Masihkah kau bermain serulingwalau waktu telah terlewat untuk kita bercintaaku semakin terasa bersalahmelayani godaan iramalagu yang tersimpan pada lorong halus buluhdikeluarkan oleh nafas senimandiukir oleh bibirdiatur oleh jaridilayangkan oleh alun anginmenolak ke dasar rasa.

Masihkah kau bermain serulingketika kampung semakin sunyisawah telah uzurwaktu jadi terlalu mahaluntuk memerhatikan hujan turunmerenung jalur senjamengutip manik embunmenghidu harum bunga.

Masihkah kau bermain serulingketika aku terasa mata bersalahuntuk melayani rasa rindu padamudi kota yang semakin kusut dan tenatadik-adikku menganggur dan sakit jiwabangsaku dipecahkan oleh politiksaudara diserang bom-bom ganasdunia sudah terlalu tua dan parah.

Di sinilah berakhirnya percintaan kita

kerana zaman sedang menuntut para seniman

hidup di luar dirinya.

(Zurinah Hassan)

ABOUT THE POET

Zurinah Hassan was born on 13th June 1949. She went to an English-medium school and received her Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran in 1970. The next year she entered Pusat Pengajian Ilmu Kemanusiaan at University Sains Malaysia and graduated in 1974.

She worked for a while as an instructor with Jabatan Pengajian Melayu in Universiti Malaya and later as the Senior Officer at Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia until her retirement.

She is now the Karyawan Tamu at Institut Alam and Tamadun Melayu at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

PARAPHRASE OF THE POEM

Stanza 1

The persona questions whether the person is still playing his musical instrument. He has not paid any attention to her, the persona, who feels guilty about wanting to hear his song. The song is played on the flute and the melody is heard by the persona.

Stanza 2

The persona questions again whether the person is still playing his flute, in a quiet and lonely village and in the middle of dry paddy fields. While he is there, the persona is in a place where it is difficult to enjoy nature. The persona is unable to watch the rain, the sunset collect dew or smell of nature.

Stanza 3

The persona questions for the third time whether the person is still playing his flute. The persona is not happy and feels disturbed thinking of the person. All this is happening while her younger brother is unemployed and desperate, there are political problems and a friend has been killed. The persona feels her world is collapsing.

SYNOPSISThe persona is thinking of someone she was close to and who plays the flute. She longs to hear the wonderful soothing music that had touched her heart a long time ago. She wonders if he is still playing his flute in their village that is now empty and quiet. She feels troubled that she should be thinking of him and her past while people around her are suffering and her world is changing

FIGURATIVE MEANING-FORM ZURINAH HASSAN (THE POET) POINT OF VIEW

Zurinah Hassan - The persona believes that itis not the time to pay attention to the arts.It is time for hard work. It is time to solve problems, rather being lulledinto artistic pleasure, even though theartists cannot serve his passion for art. Sadlyas they claim, he would never become an artist again. (Adapted from zurinahhassan@blogspot.com)NOTES FROM HER BLOGSPOT (ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR TEACHERS)

At first glance, it sounds like a love poem because the words used are romantic and soft.

Are you still playing your fluteAre you still playing your flutewhen there is no time for our loveI am feeling guiltyto be longing for your song

But the soft and romantic message of the flute player is simply a method or style of the persona to express all that is in his mind. The theme for this poem is community. Overall the expressions of the persona are about the state of society in her country and the people which are full of turmoil and chaos. The persona still keeps the memories of flute player. In fact the persona remembers the dying village vividly.

Are you still playing your flutein the village so quiet and desertedamidst the sick rice field

A flute is chosen because this is the closest instrument to nature. It is only a reed, and does not require sophisticated technology to create. So everything is back to nature. Back to basics, the melody conceals in the slim hollow of the bamboouncovered by the breath of an artist

composed by his lipsarranged by his fingersblown by the windto the depth of my heart

Persona feels guilty for the nostalgia made by the flute player. That sense of guilt she thinks of something beautiful as art. In the city she should be busy because there, life is ticking away.

to spend time watching the raingazing at the evening rayscollecting dew dropsor sniffing scented flowers.

As if she is giving time to think of the small things in life while the world is being hit by various problems. These problems appear in the next line. At that time many youngsters are unemployed. Her people are divided because of politics. And all over the world like in Bosnia and Palestine, Muslims are being haunted by war and violence.

in the hazard of this citymy younger brothers unemployed and desperatemy people thorn by politicmy Muslim friends slaughtered mercilesslythis world is old and badly injured.

(this phrases are not included in the text- extra notes to help the teachers)Is this the end of our love?time is forcing us as artistsnot to be ourselves.

This is not the time to pay attention to art. This is the time to work hard. This happens when artists are unable to pursue the love of art as the world around them is plagued by problems and violence.Activity 1 Read the poem and fill in the blanks

Are you still playing your flute?

When there is hardly time for our love

I am feeling (1) ________

To be longing for your song

The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the (2) ________

Uncovered by the breath of an artist

Composed by his fingers

Blown by the wind

To the dept of my (3) ________.

Are you still playing your flute?

In the (4) ________ so quiet and deserted

Amidst the sick rice field

While here it has become a (5) ________

To spend time watching the rain

Gazing at the evening rays

Collecting dew drops

Or enjoying the (6) ________ of flowers.

Are you still playing your flute?

The more it disturbs my conscience

To be thinking of you

In the hazard of you

My younger brothers (7) __________ and desperate

My people (8) ________ by politics

My friend slaughtered mercilessly

This world is too old and (9) __________

Activity 2Based on the poem, answer the questions given correctly.

1. Where does the melody originate according to the persona in stanza 1?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. In stanza 1, how does the persona feel when she longs for the song?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Is the persona deeply affected by the melody of the song in stanza 1?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. What is the meaning of the sick rice field in stanza 2, line 3?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. What is the persona comparing her village to in stanza 2?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. What is the evening rays indicated in stanza 2?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Name one luxury that they used to enjoy in the village.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. In stanza 3, why is her conscience disturbed?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activity 3

Tick (/) against the sentences you think are true.

Activity 4

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words taken from the paraphrase of the poem

Activity 5

Set 1

a)In stanza 1 line 7, to whom does the word his refer?

________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b)In stanza 2 line 3, what does the phrase the sick rice field mean?

________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

c)Which line in stanza 2 shows that the poet feels she has very little time for leisure/

trivialities?

_______________________________________________________________(1 mark)d)my younger brothers unemployed and desperatemy people disunited by politicsmy friend slaughtered mercilesslythis world is too old and bleeding

In your own words, explain the problems that the poet mentions in these lines.

____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________(2 mark)

Set 2

a)In stanza 1,why does I feel gulity?

__________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b)From stanza 2, explain what these words refer to:

(i)here : ________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii)luxury:_______________________________ (1 mark)

c)Without using examples from the poem, give two problems that concern the society

presently.

i)__________________________________________________________(1 mark)

ii)__________________________________________________________(1 mark)

Set 3

1)Why does the persona ask if her loved one is still playing the flute?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2)What are two reasons the persona give for not wanting the flute to be played?

a)________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b)________________________________________________________(1 mark)

3)What are the feelings of the persona towards the music produced by the flute?

___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________(2 mark)

ANSWERSACTIVITY 1

1. GUILTY

2. BAMBOO

3. HEART

4. VILLAGE

5. LUXURY

6. FRAGRANCE

7. DISUNITED

8. UNEMPLOYED

9. BLEEDING

ACTIVITY 2

1. It is in the slim hollow of a bamboo.

2. She feels guilty

3. Yes, she is affected

4. Rice field that is barren, infertile and does not produce healthy crop.

5. She is comparing it to an urban area where she is living now.

6. They refer to the sunset.

7. It is collecting dew drops

8. One of the reasons is that her younger brothers are unemployed and desperateACTIVITY 31,2,4,6,8,10

ACTIVITY 4

1. LUXURY

2. QUITE

3. GAZING

4. FRAGRANCE

5. DESERTED

6. HARDLY

7. COMPOSED

8. DEPTH

9. YOUNGER

10. SICK

ACTIVITY 6

SET 1

a) It refer to the artist.

b) rice that are barren and no longer fertile

c) while here it has become a luxury /to spend time watching the rain

d) The problems mentioned in the lines are; rising unemployment, people and families

seperated by politics, and people being killed in numerous wars.

SET 2

a) I feels guilty because she longs to listen to her lovers flute despite the fact that she has

more important things to do.

b) (i) in town

(ii) being able to enjoy the simple things in life

c) (i) poverty

(ii) conflict

SET 3

1) It seems to be frivolous to be playing music when so many things are not right.

2) i) There is no time for their love

ii) She is feeling guilty to be longing for the music

3) She obviously loves the music as she longs for it and think the player is an artist whose

music touches the depth of her heart. (accept any suitable answer)

H.D. Carberry was born on 12 July 1921 in Montreal, Canada and migrated to Jamaica when he was still an infant,

A law practitioner

He was also a poet and contributed greatly to the literary world.

He wrote this poem with much focus and affection about his island, his people, his heritage , love, humanity and nature.

He died on June 28, 1989 at the age of 68.

Meanings

Verbs

Canefieldsbulletsharvestedleaves

Grasswindvisualizeshedding

Delighted different

COLUMN B

COLUMN A

The harvested canefields are left bare

In the strong Jamaican winds

The bushes are full of bees and the fragrance of honey

That look like stars

Summer, winter, autumn and spring

To the slightest breeze

The sound of water flowing in gullies

Bright, sunny days and wet, rainy days

Beats forcefully on the roofs of houses

Fields rich with sugarcane waiting to be harvested

Jamaica does not have

Instead, Jamaica has seasons of

The magnificent sun shines on

The rain is heavy

On rainy days, one can only hear

The trees struggle to remain standing

There are times when the guango trees shed their leaves and

The best days are days when trees blossom and

The tall grass moves

The fields are covered with yellow buttercups

1. visualize2. Different3. Canefields4. Bullets

5. wind6. Shedding7. Harvested8. Delighted

9. grass10. leaves

SPM LITERATURE COMPONENT 2012Page 0

The Poem

STANZA 1: MEANING BY LINE

Stanza 1

He had such quiet eyes His eyes were calm and quietShe did not realize she did not knowThey were two pools of lies - His eyes were like two pools with liesLayered with thinnest ice Thinly veiled,like very thin iceTo her, those quiet eyes to the woman,those calm and quiet eyesWere breathing desolate sighs Looked very sad and desolateImploring her to be nice The eyes begging her to nice to himAnd to render him paradise And to give him happiness and bliss so that he would feel like he was in paradise

Stanza 2

If only shed been wise The woman wished she had been wiser in her past actionsAnd had listened to the advice And she had listened to the sound advice given to her by people who cared about her.Never to compromise They had advised her not to give up her moral values or principlesWith pleasure-seeking guys When she was with men who wanted only pleasure and fun./Casanova/playboy.Shed be free from the hows and whys- If she had listened to them, she would not be haunted by questions of hows and whys and the difficult situation she was in.

Stanza 3

Now heres a bit of advice Let me give you a bit adviceBe sure that nice really nice Make sure that the person you think is nice,is truly sincere and trustworthy.Then youll never be losing at dice- Then you will not lose in a game of love where you can lose your heart to an undeserving man.Though you lose your heart once or twice Even if you should fall in love and lose your heart to love once or twice.