In need of translation?

I survived the italian job - a very pleasant evening, even if I missed most of what was said. It might even make for an enhanced enjoyment of a poem to finally hear it in your own language, a little island of rescue amid a sea of sound? I enjoyed talking to Riccardo Duranti; he has an interest in science and he has translated Cormac McCarthy and Patrick McCabe. I particularly liked his remark that the translator is the best critic; nobody will give a closer reading!

I may be in need of a translator myself. After many years I've managed to get on the shortlist for the Strokestown Poetry Prize - english section but the poem is a bit different from what I usually do; among other things it presumes on a fair bit of close reading of well-known Irish poetry. The competition is stiff, and I'm glad to be among them.

That last remark of 'what I usually do' reminds me of Miroslav holub's poem 'Conversation with a Poet' which takes the form of a dialogue. How do you know you are a poet? - I have written a poem! That means you were a poet, and now? - I will write another poem! How do you know it will be a poem? - it will be just like the last one! .......the stadium empties

Happy St Patrick's Day