Poem and Polaroids by Andrey Tarkovsky

Sometimes I am filled with a sense

of absolutely breathtaking happiness,

which shakes my soul,

and in those moments of harmony

the world around me begins to look as it really is -

balanced and purposeful.

And my inner, mental structure or system

corresponds with the outer structure of the milieu,

the universe - and vice versa.

At those moments I believe myself to be all-powerful:

that my love is capable of any physical feat or heroism,

that all obstacles can be overcome,

that grief and yearning will be ended,

and suffering transformed

into the fulfilment of dreams and hopes.

This is one of those moments.

I believe that Larissa will succeed

in bringing Andriushka here,

and that we shall drink orange juice

and eat ice creams in Via Cola di Rienzo,

in the cafe Leroy.

I don't just believe it,

I know that's how it will be.

Andrey Tarkovsky

Taken from the beautiful book 'Instant Light' Tarkovsky Polaroids. Thames and Hudson.