One Eye Blinded

Georgian version here

This poem was inspired by Mikhail Vrubel's illustrations for Lermontov's The Demon

One Eye Blinded

One eye he blinded by design,
in this way learning treachery,
and in the other, kismet gained:
his power and severity.
Through history’s over-maquillé tides,
their Momus’ bitter mockeries
orbit, like a falcon’s eyes,
this century — Mephistopheles.