Are You Still Playing Your Flute?By Zurinah Hassan

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.

Are you still playing your flute?

In the village so quiet and deserted

Amidst the sick rice fields

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.

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 meaning Stanza 1

¢ The persona wonders whether her partner is still paying attention to his passion or hobby that is playing the flute.

¢ She feels neglected by him.

¢ She longs to hear his song, the song that he plays on the flute and which the wind is blowing to her heart.

Stanza 2

¢ The persona wonders whether her partner is still paying attention to his passion or hobby that is, playing the flute.

¢ The village is quiet and deserted and the rice fields are dry and cracked.

¢ It is difficult to find time to watch the falling rain, watch the setting sun, collect dew drops or enjoy smelling the flowers

Stanza 3

¢ The persona wonders whether her partner is still paying attention to his passion or hobby that is playing the flute.

¢ She feels guilty about imposing on him or even thinking about him

¢ He does not seem to be aware of what is happening to his family, relatives and friends.

o His brothers-in-law have lost their jobs, the people are divided by politics, her friend has been killed and the whole world seems to be torn by troubles

The theme

¢ Care for one’s life partner

¢ Family commitments

¢ Priorities in life

¢ Passionate about one’s interest

¢ Neglect of one’s duties

Moral Values

¢ Be responsible

¢ Be aware of what is happening around you

¢ Have a sense of balance in your life

¢ There is time for work and a time for play

¢ We must know what is important and what is not