He Had Such Quiet Eyes by Bibsy Soenharjo

He Had Such Quiet Eyes
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 she'd been wise
And had listened to the advice
Never to compromise
With pleasure-seeking guys
She'd be free from "the hows and whys"

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

CPS Review:

First thing come to mind after reading this poem was about the seductive and lustful love. Not to delve to deep into that, let us discuss on the surface level only.
The poem discusses on the eyes of a man, alluring, seductive and dangerous.

The connotation of two pools of lies layered with the thinnest ice strongly suggested that the man eyes is very deceiving, deep, calm but dangerous, just like a pool in winter. It may look inviting and peaceful to see a still lake, but when you try to walk on the thin ice, it will break and you will drown in the icy cold water.

Another connection was the term “Eyes are windows to the soul” thus here, the icy eyes shows that the man have a cold, ruthless heart, ready to gobble up gullible woman. The eyes also quiet (stealthy/underlying intention/udang sebalik mee) and imploring (domineering/controlling/powerful)

Second stanza, young woman are too gullible, naïve and easily influenced (first hand experience) especially concerning with love and emotions. Thus, the advice was NEVER to compromise with the wrong guys. This is because the “hows and whys” a.k.a the art of seduction is something that will entangle the woman in its webs for a long time. And the man with this knowledge will not only suck the woman dry emotionally, but also physically, financially and then toss her aside, useless, broken and valueless…

The last stanza,

Nice mean nice : no underlying intention, truthful and honest

Then you'll never be losing at dice: love is a risk taken by both side, they take turns throwing the “dice of life” and if the woman is smart, she will be safe in the relationship.

Though you may lose your heart once or twice: this is the risk in love, but broken heart can still be mended, but there are things in a girl that once broken, forever gone.