Dance
We are like partners in the ronggeng,
Approaching nearer, nearer and nearer;
But just when one would think we’d meet at last,
We turn away, reverse our steps, withdraw.
And like the ronggeng too, my life seems now,
With steps mechanical, repeated, meaningless;
Arms swinging back and forth, expressing nothing,
Feet pacing up and down the floor, going nowhere.
I am tired of going through ronggeng motions,
Long to break this impasse of reserve;
If only at one point our hands would clasp,
What rich variety of movements and gestures could be ours.
Fadzilah Amin
Comments: I think this is the most popular example used by friends during (once upon sweet, lovely time) simulated teaching. :)
The main idea or theme of this poem is about lack of commitment in a relationship. I find it rather interesting and very (very, very much) appealing to me as I personally does not believe in commitment. Especially between man and woman, as I myself do have a lot commitment at the moment. As a servant to ALLAH, as a daughter to parents, as a sister to a sister and brother, as a students to lecturers, as a friend to friends… etc.
The idea of commitment is clearly presented in this poem through the choice of words by the poet. For example, “With steps mechanical, repeated, meaningless;/ Arms swinging back and forth, expressing nothing,” (stanza 2, line 2-3). How creative the poet to compare a relationship with steps from a dance. (Sorry, I personally too, do not know how ronggeng dance looks like).
In the final stanza, the poet is hoping that the relationship can be improved with more commitments involved between the partners.
Finally, maybe I would like to reconsider about my responsibility and commitment towards others. This poem actually opens up my eyes and made me realized that, commitment is important in our lives and it does not only between a man and a woman (in the sense of couple-boyfriend and girlfriend), but also to everybody around us.
We are like partners in the ronggeng,
Approaching nearer, nearer and nearer;
But just when one would think we’d meet at last,
We turn away, reverse our steps, withdraw.
And like the ronggeng too, my life seems now,
With steps mechanical, repeated, meaningless;
Arms swinging back and forth, expressing nothing,
Feet pacing up and down the floor, going nowhere.
I am tired of going through ronggeng motions,
Long to break this impasse of reserve;
If only at one point our hands would clasp,
What rich variety of movements and gestures could be ours.
Fadzilah Amin
Comments: I think this is the most popular example used by friends during (once upon sweet, lovely time) simulated teaching. :)
The main idea or theme of this poem is about lack of commitment in a relationship. I find it rather interesting and very (very, very much) appealing to me as I personally does not believe in commitment. Especially between man and woman, as I myself do have a lot commitment at the moment. As a servant to ALLAH, as a daughter to parents, as a sister to a sister and brother, as a students to lecturers, as a friend to friends… etc.
The idea of commitment is clearly presented in this poem through the choice of words by the poet. For example, “With steps mechanical, repeated, meaningless;/ Arms swinging back and forth, expressing nothing,” (stanza 2, line 2-3). How creative the poet to compare a relationship with steps from a dance. (Sorry, I personally too, do not know how ronggeng dance looks like).
In the final stanza, the poet is hoping that the relationship can be improved with more commitments involved between the partners.
Finally, maybe I would like to reconsider about my responsibility and commitment towards others. This poem actually opens up my eyes and made me realized that, commitment is important in our lives and it does not only between a man and a woman (in the sense of couple-boyfriend and girlfriend), but also to everybody around us.
