First Meetings

At every meeting, every moment
Was celebrated like Epiphany, 
Just we two in all the world. 
You were bolder, lighter than a bird’s wing, 
Heady as vertigo 
Down the stairs, leading 
Through moist lilac to your realm 
Beyond the mirror. 

When night fell, grace was given me, 
The gates before the altar opened wide, 
Shining in the darkness 
Nakedness bowed slowly; 
And on awakening, I said: 
‘God bless you!’, knowing it 
To be daring: you slept, 
The lilac drooped towards you from the table 
To touch your eyelids with its universe of blue, 
Those eyelids brushed with blue 
Were calm, and your hand was warm. 

And in the crystal throbbing rivers ran, 
Mountains loomed through mist, and seas foamed; 
Holding in your palm a crystal sphere, 
You slumbered on a throne, 
And - God in heaven! - you belonged to me. 
Awaking, you transformed 
The words people utter every day 
Till speech was filled to overflowing 
With resounding strength, and the word ‘you’
Disclosed its new significance and meaning: Tsar
Ordinary objects were at once transfigured. 
Even simple things like - the jug, the basin - 
When foliated water stood between us, 
Solidified, like a guard. 

We were led to who knows where. 
Before us opened up, like mirages, 
Towns and cities magically built, 
Mint leaves spread themselves beneath our feet, 
Birds above us on our way, 
Fish leaping from the river 
And heaven unfurled above… 

While fate was shadowing our footsteps, 
Like a madman brandishing a razor.

Poem by Arseny Tarkovsky

Photo: Black Mystique II

By Ikenna Douglas