by Tony d’Ambra
A loving daughter’s gaze
Another day lost in time
forever gone and ever-present
The departing train leaves a dissolving black cloud
Both gone
The mother and the sister she never had
On forged rails of steel that offer no return
the other daughter gifted by fate
holds the mother’s watch
In anguished reminiscence the time-piece ticks away in eternity
as she smiles the smile of loss and regret
Why did she leave us?
Three women in boundless love blossomed
in cruel obscurity and exquisite meaninglessness
The mother is gone forever
and the daughters lost to each other in Time’s imperative
The towers of industry billow their smoke
to the boundless indifferent sky
while the agony and the ecstasyof aloneness and sweet regret
fade into the abyss of the past
The ships ply the harbour their engines rhythmically echoing
the aching heartbeat of a lonely old man
Hi! Tony,
What a very lovely poem/verses…I must admit that I have never watched any Asian films before, (Hence, the reason for no comment(s) on Allan Fish’s No# 1 pick…) but the poem/verses that you feature here is very beautiful.
Thanks, For sharing…
Dcd
For those who have seen and cherish this film masterpiece, the images and feelings evoked in this sublime poetry are suffused with loneliness and regret, which lie at the center of TOKYO STORY’S universality. It’s a bereaved and doleful piece, and it’s fueled by the uncompromising ticking of a clock.
Tony d’Ambra’s magnificent poem further captures the indellible essence of this timeless film, and it’s right up there with his poems on Wong Kar-Wei’s films.
No, it’s not up there with his poems on Wong, it’s eclipsed them. It’s his best yet put in the site.
This is actually true what you say here Allan, as the rather unorthodox complexity among it’s major characters is singular, in this sense.
I dare say it’s tear-inducing.
It’s great that this movie inspires such creativity. As I recall, the daughter-in-law is the film’s most vital character as far as the story goes, and she is obviously the subject of this poem too. At the end, the old man “the aching heatbeat of a lonely old man” grieves for his wife and the siblings who abandoned him.
Masterful work here, and brings back many poignant images from the film (it’s not easy to evoke such specific visuals with poetry, either). The final couplet is very fine aural metaphor.
Exceptionally evocative and poignant poetry, Tony. Extraordinarily moving. As Jon notes, it brings imagery from the film from the recesses of one’s mind with such stunning, beauteous clarity. Every line is so profusively ethereal and tenderly moving.
Metaphors abound in these somber lines of heartbreak.
Thank you kindly everyone for your generous comments.
I have to also thank Allan and Sam whose evocative writing here encouraged me to seek out Tokyo Story.
I did battle quite a bit on how to respond in words to Tokyo Story. I lay awake in bed after watching the film on Saturday night, trying to gather my thoughts, but images and feelings overwhelmed me, and I felt that I was not up to writing a piece on this exquisite film.
Sunday was a glorious autumn day and it was one of those rare angst-free days that allowed me a measure of happiness and gratitude for life. After lunch, I put on a new CD, Melos, from Vassilis Tsabropoulos (piano) and Anja Lechner (violin). This plaintiff and ethereal music brought the images of the film back to my mind and I realised that Ozu’s sentiment and visual imagery were so poetic that I should respond in kind. I jumped onto the PC and wrote this piece.
It may come as a shock to some, but from a young age certain films have moved me to tears. Tokyo Story is one of them. My heart was to bursting so many times, yet Ozu also grants us a sublime pinnacle of happiness that for me is unmatched in any film. The excursion on the bus with Noriko and the parents is deliriously beautiful and joyous. All of a sudden the stillness and melancholy are swept away. Jaunty music and passengers bobbing up and down in a bus, the calm thankful awe of father and mother, and then the smiling face of Noriko. A timeless testament to the joy of giving. We are let down ever so softly when after the three look out over Tokyo, and Fumiko asks Noriko to point out where she lives and Noriko responds so excitedly. These are the simple moments of life that despite the ravages of time are eternal.
Think of it this way, Tony. Ozu’s mantra in the film was “isn’t life disappointing?” In viewing said disappointment we in the audience reach epiphany. When writing pieces on films like this the first thing you say to yourself is “I can’t do justice to the film.” Once you accept that, whether doing a review, poem, or whatever, you have free rein and you can do something worthy of the film. You did that and more. Hearty congrats.
It may come as a shock to some, but from a young age certain films have moved me to tears.
Nah, Tony, we all know you’re really a big softie…
And I’m the same way, with music as well (especially music, in fact)…
That was superb.
Thanks Bobby.
Tell my wife Jon
Allan you have captured the essence of how art affects us: “epiphany” says it all.
Tony’s testimony in regards to his maiden viewing of TOKYO STORY pretty much says it all. This is a film that once seen will stay with you forever. It’s one of the most emotional films in all of cinema…….and of art.
I think the addition of poetry to the site gives a refreshing perspective. This is an example example and I urge its continuence
Hey Dave!
I agree, although Tony has had a few others here which also received the highest praise. I am all for versatility at WitD, not only in the arts we cover (film, theatre, music, opera, literature) but also in the writing form.
That’s a lovely way to express the film’s lyricism in your own words, Tony. Nicely done.
Thank you Jenny.
………this poem deserves to be published on a professional level……….
Thank you Frank, though I think it is Ozu’s imagery that is the creative fountainhead here.
This is a lovely poem by Mr. d’Ambra, that’s drenched in sadness and a sense of loss. This is a great mode of expression.
Thank you Carol. Nice of you to comment.