Speaking In Tongues
Scribbling In Voices


ARSENIY TARKOVSKY

THE FIRST RENDEZVOUS


Translated by Maya Jouravel

Translation, Maya Jouravel, 1994-1998


Each moment was for us a celebration

As ceremony of the consecration

Just us in the whole world... You would spring

More daringly and lightly then a wing --

Along the stairs though giddy fourth dimension.

You hurried down where you would bring

Me right behind the looking glass reflection -

To your domain inside the lilac spring.


Then, when the night came down, I was the favor

Granted. Ajar were Royal gates...

There in the darkness shimmered

And slowly leaned the shiny nakedness.

And when awake, Be blessed I told you, darling,

Yet realizing rather 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, rivers were pulsing,

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 Oh, God gracious! You belonged to me.


Your waking up brought me the new sensation

Of daily, usual, and simple tongue...

The speech's been loaded with sonorous passion,

Up to the neck. And the word you, when mentioned,

Was re-defined and now meant: the king.

The world around us has grandly altered:

And even simple things like: sink and jug,

When right between us firm and filmy water

Is situated just as the watchdog.


We were lead around as moonstruck

And welcomed by the phantoms of the towns

Before our eyes stupendously erect

The tender mint under our feet has fallen,

When we along with morning birds were strolling

And fishes, with us, up the river went --

And right in front of us the skies has opened...


When destiny in our steps has trodden,

Like madman with the razor in his hand.

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