Originally posted by DeadPoet:
[b]Mauvais
2 flames in a darkened room,
1 is near, 1 is far.
Warmth drawn from both,
not quite equal, yet essential.
Hmm
the speaker informs us that there are two flames in a
dark room. One is near and the other is far. Although both emit
different degree of warmth but they are equally essential to the
speaker. However there is no indication that the speaker wants us
to choose between the two. Personally I interpret the flames as
desires, passions, etc. He may be hinting us that there are two
sides of him and he finds comfort in both of them. Clearly indicate
in the last sentence not quite equal, yet essential the speaker
believes that both flames (desires) can co-exist with each
other.
hmmmm in a way the interpretation fits me. but when i wrote the
poem, the meaning for the 2 flames and later on, the 2 streams, was
in a very different context. They actually refer to 2 diff ppl who
are very impt to me right now in my life.
2 flowing streams, they join
a river.
Feeding it, feeding life itself.
When the mountain falls,
A stream it blocks, a river it hurts.
Now instead of flames we have two flowing streams that join
up to form a river. But a mountain falls and blocks one of the
streams hurting the river. Just like the flames in stanza one, I
interpret the two streams as two different ways of life. In order
to have a complete self (river), it is necessary for the two
streams (ways of life) to run smoothly. When one of them is block
by a mountain (societys norms, authority, external pressures) the
self is hurt. As for the nature of the rivers that is blocked,
the title Mauvais of the poem speaks for itself.
as above
A drifting seed, it's faraway,
So far to travel, never easy it is.
Changes inevitable, magic is wrought,
Seed into seedling, but a seed it still is.
I think the speaker is comparing himself as a drifting seed here.
Regardless of where he is, how far he travels and whatever changes
in the society (external influences), he wishes to remain true to
himself.
Alcohol in a cup,
Fiery yet cold, burns yet cools.
Flames ignite it, hotter still it gets,
Ice chills it, colder still it will be.
Hmm
using alcohol as an example the speaker may be trying to tell
us again that it is possible for two very different things to
co-exist with each other.
Rocks and stone stand the test of time,
A monolith weathers but it's core remains.
The historian who is supposed to protect it, befriend it,
He comes and chips cruel words, with harsh strokes.
This seems to be an extension of stanza three. Again the speaker is
trying to emphasis the importance of being true to oneself just
like the rocks and stone in found in nature. I may be too sensitive
but I sense bitterness and betrayal in the last two lines. Who is
this historian? Is he an ancient Greek?
A mirror may be pretty,
But shatter it once and it'll forever be ugly.
A thousand shards reflecting your horrified looks,
A thousand regrets of a distant dream.
Lastly I guess this stanza got something to so with the previous
stanza. Even the pretty side (the side approve by the society) will
be ugly once shattered. Once the damage is done, it may be too late
to regret.
PS. By the way Ah Heng I think you got to many it in your poem
liao lah. 
Take out a
few will sound better. Another thing is why using numerical form
instead of word? Is there any reason for it? 211 your room numbers
is it? 
[/b]
the rest of it is mostly accurately interpreted... the last 2
stanzas tho, yes there was betryal n hurt... and i guess i meant to
say that if u do something to hurt some and someone got hurt badly
enuf, he/she will never be pretty again, even if the one who hurts
shows remorse n regret.
