Are You Still Playing Your Flute?

Zurinah Hassan

SYNOPSIS

This poem is told in the first person point of view. The persona reminisces her feeling of guilt. She misses the beautiful melody of the bamboo flute played by her beloved long time ago. She later questions and wonders if the flute is still being played now, as the village is now underpopulated and the paddy fields are in a deplorable state. She mentions that, nowadays, relaxing and savouring the beauty of nature is a rare luxury. In the final stanza, she questions for the third time, whether her beloved is still playing the flute. She could not help but to feel guilty to be thinking of their love in difficult times. The hardships portrayed here are unemployment, disunity and a dying world.

Are you still playing your flute? When there is hardly time for our love I am feeling guilty To be longing for your song The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bamboo Uncovered by the breath of an artist Composed by his fingers Blown by the wind To the depth of my heart

The persona questions herself if her beloved is still playing the flute, when there is no time to show that one cares for each other. Though the persona feels it is not right to yearn for his music, the music lingers and affects her deeply.

Are you still playing your flute? In the village so quiet and deserted Amidst the sick rice field While here it has become a luxury To spend time watching the rain Gazing at the evening rays Collecting dew drops Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers

The persona finds that the village has been abandoned by the villagers and the paddy fields unattended. She recalls admiring the rain, staring at the sunrays during dusk, collecting dew drops and enjoying the pleasant smell of flowers and nature which have become a luxury in the city.

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 unemployed and desperate my people disunited by politics my friend slaughtered mercilessly this world is too old and bleeding

The persona feels guilty yearning for her beloved as her countrymen are jobless and feeling hopeless. They are separated by different political views. People whom they care for are brutally killed and the world is suffering.

State the meaning of these phrases:

hardly time for our love longing for your song melody concealed depth of my heart it has become a luxury

: : : : :

To spend time watching the rain :

disturbs my conscience
in the hazard of you friend slaughtered mercilessly world is too old and bleeding

:
: : :

Discussion:
Why do you think the persona repeats the question;

Are you still playing your flute?

in all the stanzas?

Figurative Meaning

Stanza 1:

In life, we sometimes have to change our way of life due to work or family circumstances. From a lifestyle filled with values and traditions like in the village, we may find ourselves embracing a totally different lifestyle in towns. However, we may sometimes long for our previous life with its unforgettable moments.

Stanza 2:

We may wonder if the values and traditions we believed in and practiced are still observed in our former villagers. Many people have migrated to towns or adopted an urban way of life where such traditions may not be so well-ingrained. In these places, life is fast paced and they do not have the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life they used to.

Stanza 3:

These people may think back to their days in the rural areas with guilt. Traditions and the old values may seem trivial compared to their present circumstances. There are economic, political and social problems to be faced. Some of these problems have become personal as they affect people who are close to them.

Themes

Values and traditions - Values and traditions have an important role in our life. They teach us to live correctly and to hold on to our principles in life. We learn to value life, family and friends. A society without values and traditions is colourless and loses its direction. Changes in life - Nothing stays the same forever and that includes life. Life changes over time. These changes affect every aspect of our lives and may have positive and negative consequences.

Family commitments - Everyone has family commitments, whether it is to our immediate family members or extended family members. Be aware of these commitments as they bind a family together.
Priorities in life - There are important and unimportant things in life. Learn to differentiate them and make plans accordingly.

Enjoying the simple pleasure of life - Nature surrounds us and the beauty of nature offers us the simple pleasures of life. The rising sun, the moon and stars, the rainfall and dew are some of the pleasures that nature offers. Enjoy them and enjoy life.
Passionate about one's interest - When we are really interested in a hobby, we will become passionate about it. It helps us to mature as this passion helps us to stay focused. We learn to be creative too. But, we should not let this passion become an obsession.

Moral Values

We should learn to appreciate the values and traditions of society and family. They give us balance in life and help us to differentiate between the good and the bad. We face changes in life every day. Learn to accept changes but only if they are for the good of society. If they are beneficial, work around them for the general good. Our family is the most important thing in our life. We should put their interest and safety first before anything else. Show consideration for one's duties within the home and carry out family commitments responsibly. We should know our priorities in life and be aware of them at all times. Don't get so taken in by our interests that we forget our priorities. Passion for interests should should not be at expense of family happiness. There is a time for work and a time for play.