Conversations About Tarkovsky in a Copenhagen Restaurant

Gold cherry

By Kilb50

Wed, 28 Apr 2021
  • 6312 reads
19 comments
 

The waiter, I guess, has overheard our conversation.

He serves the starters

with a quiet, efficient air and, when he’s done, whispers:

‘Nostalgiha is my favourite.’

 

A waiter with a thing for Tarkovsky – who would have thought it ?

A Russian émigré, perhaps, although we agree he could be from   

   anywhere.

He appears again, to clear the table - cracks a visual joke:

Hari drinking liquid oxygen in the scene from Solaris.

 

We like this waiter. He pours our wine

and it reminds us of a languid, mystic pool in Stalker.

Outside the city has changed into a gloomy Soviet landscape.

Our main course is something of a disappointment – the hot metal soup

   served in Andrei Rublev.

 

A dog enters the restaurant. We gasp and laugh but we know from experience

   this is not a good sign.

A woman in furs brings dessert. ‘ But where is our waiter ?’ we ask

‘the waiter with a thing for Tarkovsky ?’

‘Sadly his shift has ended’ she says and leaves a photo: A smiling boy - a head

   shot only - victim of occupation.

Certificate 15
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

This is so deftly done. Watched all of his films during the latest lockdown. Utterly mesmerising.  

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks Mark. I first got hooked on Tarkovsky back in the mid 80s when I saw Solaris. And yes, you're right - a mesmerising genius. All the best.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

The tone is just right, gives me an urge to watch the films again. Lovely work.

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks as ever for reading & your comments airy. All the best to you.

 

Submitted by marandina on

I know nothing at all about Tarkovsky. (I thought he was a right back for Everton) Super poem that makes me wanna look Tarkovsky's work up.

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

This made me roll up! Tarkovsky would be a tricky little midfielder, getting between the lines. 

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Andrei Rublev up front ?

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

Yep, good in the air. Bit moody and inconsistent. However, we have Ivan-the-wonderkid breaking into the first team.  

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks marandina. Yes, I think Tarkovsky plays for Burnley now. A solid defender, worthy of a role in Stalker! All the best.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

This rather beautiful conversation poem, is masterfully written. It is also Pick of the Day. Do share on Facebook and Twitter. 

I have added the image. It's from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nostalghia.jpg

Please do change it if you would prefer another image. 

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks onemorething & eds for Pick of the Day - appreciated!

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Great pick - I have never heard of him either but I will put him on my list to watch - so a double thank you Kilb!

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

You're welcome insert. I'd suggest Ivan's Childhood to start. All the best.

 

Submitted by sean mcnulty on

Excellent journey through Tarkovsky's classics here. The imagery is all there. A great poetic tribute to a poet of cinema. And actually a genuine poet of words too.

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks for reading & your comments sean. All the best.

 

Submitted by Jude O'Flynn on

Great poem. I like the way it casually references the films, and this line is sublime: 'A woman in furs brings dessert.' Tarkovsky is a brilliant director, as well as a very talented defender for Burnley FC.

 

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks for reading & your comments jude. All the best.

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Great poem . I now want to watch some of Tarkovsky's movies. The 'head shot' - was the smiling waiter shot but in the stomach not the head or did he simply leave fast? Intriguing.

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Thanks for reading & your comment Ray. The photographic 'head shot' is a reference to the final few emotionally powerful frames of Tarkovsky's 'Ivan's Childhood'. The film is probably my favourite amongst Tarkovsky's works. Viewing it today, in light of what is happening in Ukraine, will probably add uncomfortable layers of meaning. All the best to you