To The Translators

to you

the unsung, the uncrowned,

the poet, the aerial artist walking on a tightrope

between two words—two worlds,

the ventriloquist virtuoso speaking others’ dreams in your own voice,

or speaking your own dreams in others’ voices,

the bridge builder, working with syllables and commas and periods,

the unrecognized academic producer whose scholarship

is appreciated only by the most cultivated.

Kai-yu Hsu