First Meetings

FIRST MEETINGS

We celebrated every moment 
Of our meetings as epiphanies, 
Just we two in all the world. 
Bolder, lighter than a bird's wing, 
You hurtled like vertigo 
Down the stairs, leading 
Through moist lilac to your realm 
Beyond the mirror. 

When night fell, grace was given me, 
The sanctuary gates were opened, 
Shining in the darkness 
Nakedness bowed slowly; 
Waking up, I said: 
'God bless you!', knowing it 
To be daring: you slept, 
The lilac leaned towards you from the table 
To touch your eyelids with its universal blue, 
Those eyelids brushed with blue 
Were peaceful, and your hand was warm. 

And in the crystal I saw pulsing rivers, 
Smoke-wreathed hills, and glimmering seas; 
Holding in your palm that crystal sphere, 
You slumbered on the throne, 
And - God be praised! - you belonged to me. 
Awaking, you transformed 
The humdrum dictionary of humans 
Till speech was full and running over 
With resounding strength, and the word you 
Revealed its new meaning: it meant king. 
Everything in the world was different, 
Even the simplest things - the jug, the basin - 
When stratified and solid water 
Stood between us, like a guard. 

We were led to who knows where. 
Before us opened up, in mirage, 
Towns constructed out of wonder, 
Mint leaves spread themselves beneath our feet, 
Birds came on the journey with us, 
Fish leapt in greeting from the river, 
And the sky unfurled above… 

While behind us all the time went fate, 
A madman brandishing a razor.

Ποίηση: Arseniy Tarkovsky

Φωτογραφία από την ταινία 
ο Καθρέπτης του Andrei Tarkovsky