#6 - Late Spring (1949)

This poem was inspired by the film Late Spring (1949). It was by directed by Yasujirō Ozu, and was produced in Japan during the American occupation after the Second World War. I was especially interested in the aspects of the film that were censored (mentions of American bombing and occupation, and the Japanese traditions that do not align with American values specifically) and how the Ozu skirted these rules to make something that still resonates with Japanese culture at this time and place. You can read more about that on Wikipedia here, if you like.  

#6 – Tiny Acts of Rebellion  

I cannot write of city ruins here,

our script is flipped; the harrowing erased.

The absence curves, like question marks in space:

the gauzy veil of history hangs sheer. 

I cannot tell of occupation now:

it lies, like rubble, hidden from the lens.

And I’m reduced to shaking, making sense 

of censorship and all it won’t allow.

But, in the mise-en-scène, you’ll see it clear:

the English words, the Coca-Cola sign.

On celluloid, the darkened shadows shine,

the bleakness in the staging, rendered here. 

A portent, camouflaged for us to find;

rebellion as subtle as a sign.

LM

Image from Late spring (1949) from Wikipedia