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.
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Comments
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Sculpting in Time Translation
From guest Brenna (contact)
I tried to leave a comment with this translation, but my comment seems to have disappeared. I had difficulty with the formatting. If I can use HTML in the comment, I can correct it and repost.
(sorry for delay but we need to review all guest posts) -
Translation from Sculpting in Time
From guest Brenna (contact)
This is from Andrei Tarkovsky's book "Sculpting in Time," published in 1987--page 101. The entire publication, including the poetry, was translated from the original Russian by Kitty Hunter-Blair. Of all the translations I have read, this remains my favorite. First Meetings Arseniy Tarkovsky Every moment that we were together Was a celebration, like Epiphany, In all the world the two of us alone. You were bolder, lighter than a bird's wing, Heady as vertigo you ran downstairs Two steps at a time, and led me Through damp lilac, into your domain On the other side, beyond the mirror. When night came I was granted favour, The gates before the altar opened wide And in the dark our nakedness was radiant As slowly it inclined. And waking I would say, 'Blessings upon you!' And knew my benediction was presumptuous: You slept, the lilac stretched out from the table To touch your eyelids with a universe of blue, And you received the touch upon your eyelids And they were still, and still your hand was warm. Vibrant rivers lay inside the crystal, Mountains loomed through mist, seas foamed, And you held a crystal sphere in your hands, Seated on a throne as still you slept, And--God in heaven!--you belonged to me. You awoke and you transfigured The words that people utter every day, And speech was filled to overflowing With ringing power, and the word 'you' Discovered its new purport: it meant 'king'. Ordinary objects were at once transfigured, Everything--the jug, the basin--when Placed between us like a sentinel Stood water, laminary and firm. We were led, not knowing whither, Like mirages before us there receded Cities built by miracle, Wild mint was laying itself beneath our feet, Birds travelling by the same route as ourselves, And in the river fishes swam upstream; And the sky unrolled itself before our eyes. When fate was following in our tracks Like a madman with a razor in his hand. -
correction
From guest Evan (contact)
I believe in the third section here " it meant king" is supposed to be "sovereign", and I remember the first lines to be more like "We celebrated each moment our meetings as revelations, the two of us alone in all the world". This translation is more than fishy. -
Poor translation
From guest Evan (contact)
This is a terrible translation, someone PLEASE transcribe the translation found in the film The Mirror, I beleive the translations and subtitles are by Adrei Tarkovsky's wife and are much much better. This is a bastardization of the original art! -
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For Evan
We are always open to corrections and appreciate constructive critiscism if you can suggerst a more suitable translation then please point us in the right direction.
Von - oldpoetry
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there is a better translation of this I think
There is a very good translation in Andrei Tarkovsky's (his son - the film-maker) book 'Sculpting In Time'. page 101. Check it out. -
To webmaster
From guest Alexey Chepurnov (contact)
My comment was deleted that fast. Sorry, probably I was too straightforward. Believe me, the translation is misleading. I would suggest removing it. -
Don't blame the poet
From guest Alexey Chepurnov (contact)
That's sad. Tarkovsky deserves better translation. No slightest resemblance of the mood, music or even flat upper-level meaning of the original. "God bless you!" -- my God...
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