Arseny Tarkovsky
The First Rendezvous

Each moment was for us a celebration
As ceremony of consecration —
Just us in the whole world... You would spring
As full of dare and flight as a falcon on the wing
Heady as vertigo in one breath taking motion.
You hurried down to where you would bring
The two of us behind the looking glass reflection —
To your domain inside the lilac spring.

Then came the night and I received the favor
The gates before the altar opened wide,
There — in the darkness shimmered
Your radiant nakedness right at my side.
And when awake, «Be blessed» I told you, darling,
Yet realizing that it was too daring
My benediction: while you were asleep,
The blue of the whole universe was striving
To touch with lilac blossom your eyelids.

Touched by the blue, your eyelids were peaceful,
And hands were warm upon the coverlet.
While in the crystal, rivulets were coursing,
Seas glimmering, rocks fuming to the skies...
And you were holding in your palms the crown
On crystal sphere, while sleeping on the throne...
And — God in heaven! — You belonged to me.

Your waking up brought me the new sensation
Of daily, usual, and simple tongue...
The speech was loaded with sonorous passion,
From top to bottom. And the word you, once spoken,
Discovered a new meaning: it meant, “king”.
The world around us has grandly altered:
Even the simple things like a sink or jug,
When right between us firm and laminary water
Was placed to guard us just like a watchdog.

Not knowing whither, we were led along;
We saw the phantoms of receding towns,
Before our eyes by miracle built strong;
The mint beneath our feet spread low like velvet,
We flew with birds as if on a magic carpet;
And up the river fishes, with us, went;
And right in front of us — the skies have opened...
When destiny in our steps has walking,
Like a madman with a razor in his hand.

Translated by Maya Jouravel