To the Memory of Demon

Used to come in the blue Of the glacier, at night, from Tamara. With his wingtips he drew Where the nightmares should boom, where to bar them. Did not sob, nor entwine The denuded, the wounded, the ailing... A stone slab has survived By the Georgian church, at the railings. Hunchback shadows, distressed, Did not dance by the fence of the temple. Soft, about the princess The zurna did not question the lamplight, But the sparks in his hair Were aglitter and bursting phosphorous, And the giant did not hear The dark Caucasus greying for sorrow.