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Bergman Film, 1963

It was a Swedish film they said,
Mixing real life, truth and art,
A little bit expressive they said,
Which for us was a jolly good start
And when Sunday the good Father
Preached to go and see it was a sin
The street outside was crowded
As we quietly queued to get in.

This was the early 1960’s
When standards had to be preserved
What was outrageous then would
Now be considered quite reserved.
There was Sex and there was Symbolism
There was Fear, Anxiety, Angst and Doubt.
I watched the whole film enthralled
No idea what it was all about

At later showings we found 
Due to the films”s notoriety
And to enable a continuing 
Sense of community propriety
At a given signal they had to hold
Sheets of paper before their eyes
To avoid seiing certain scenes
And keep Innocence uncompromised

But, it was Art and it was Sex,
Displayed on the silver screen
And despite the Father’s warnings
Me and most of the village had been.
It was never mentioned in the bar
Later on when we went for a drink,
Just the odd embarrassed grin
And the occasional knowing wink.

Copyright © Terry Ireland | Year Posted 2022

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Speaks Volumes Date: 12/8/2022 1:07:00 AM How times have changed. Recently I watched Lady Chatterley's lover, Thought to be "disgusting" in my time. I waited for the disgusting bits, but waisted my time. it was such a tame little movie I was disappointed. Your poem is good Terry, but you didn't mention Ingrid, did you ? Login to Reply Terry Ireland Date: 12/8/2022 1:20:00 AM Wrong Bergman Wen - this was the Director of that name, confusingly Ingmar. The film was called The Silence. They stood in the aisles with a clicker and issued everybody with a sheet of newspaper. Anybody found peeping was thrown out. ;-)