Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"You Tell Us What to Do," by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, is a poignant poem that reflects on the promises and challenges of revolutionary change. Faiz explores themes of hope, despair, and resilience while calling for collective guidance and action. The poem is structured in two stanzas, each presenting a metaphor that conveys the pain of unfulfilled aspirations and the complexity of seeking a solution.

In the first stanza, Faiz employs the metaphor of a journey on a "river of grief" to represent the struggle for a better future: "When we launched life / on the river of grief, / how vital were our arms, how ruby our blood." Here, the journey symbolizes the revolutionary struggle, while the "vital" arms and "ruby" blood reflect the optimism and determination of those embarking on it. The expectation was that "with a few strokes," they would "cross all pain" and "soon disembark." This initial optimism captures the fervor and hope for rapid change.

However, as the journey progresses, Faiz reveals that "That didn't happen." Instead, "In the stillness of each wave we found invisible currents." This image of "invisible currents" conveys the unforeseen obstacles and complexities that hinder progress. Moreover, the boatmen's lack of skill and the "untested" oars symbolize inadequate leadership and preparation. Faiz acknowledges the challenges but remains focused on finding solutions: "Investigate the matter as you will, / blame whomever, as much as you want, / but the river hasn't changed, / the raft is still the same."

Despite the passage of time and shifts in leadership, the "river" of grief remains unchanged, and the "raft" is still the same. Faiz's use of "you" in "Now you suggest what's to be done, / you tell us how to come ashore" shifts the responsibility to the listener, calling for collective guidance and new strategies to navigate the turbulent waters.

In the second stanza, Faiz shifts the metaphor to one of healing: "When we saw the wounds of our country / appear on our skins, / we believed each word of the healers." The "wounds of our country" symbolize the socio-political and economic ailments afflicting society. The collective belief in the healers' words reflects the initial trust placed in leaders and experts who promised cures. The poem continues, "Besides, we remembered so many cures, / it seemed at any moment / all troubles would end, each wound heal completely."

Despite this hope, "That didn't happen: our ailments / were so many, so deep within us / that all diagnoses proved false, each remedy useless." The deep-rooted nature of these problems makes them resistant to simple solutions. The false diagnoses and ineffective remedies highlight the inadequacy of previous attempts to address these issues.

Faiz calls for introspection and accountability but acknowledges the limitations of blame: "Now do whatever, follow each clue, / accuse whomever, as much as you will, / our bodies are still the same, / our wounds still open." The repetition of "still the same" emphasizes the persistent nature of these problems.

Once again, the poem ends with an appeal to the listener: "Now tell us what we should do, / you tell us how to heal these wounds." This closing refrain echoes the first stanza's plea for guidance, reinforcing the sense of collective responsibility. Faiz shifts the onus to the listener, urging them to provide concrete answers to navigate the challenges and heal the wounds.

Structurally, the poem uses free verse, which allows Faiz to explore these themes with fluidity and precision. The repetition of key phrases like "that didn't happen" and "still the same" creates a rhythmic cadence that underscores the poem's central message of enduring struggle and hope.

In "You Tell Us What to Do," Faiz Ahmed Faiz masterfully blends metaphor and imagery to convey the challenges of achieving social and political change. The poem reflects on the disappointments of unfulfilled promises and the persistence of systemic problems while urging collective action and new strategies. Faiz's poignant plea for guidance resonates as a call for introspection, accountability, and the continuous pursuit of a just and equitable society.

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