First Anthology of Poetry Translation Published by Library of Congress

Edited by U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, the anthology "Transient Worlds" is the first collection of poetry translation released during a laureate’s appointment at the Library of Congress. This work is part of Sze’s signature initiative, “Words Bridging Worlds.”

The anthology spans nearly two millennia of poetry, featuring twenty-three poems from thirteen languages. Sze presents key works that highlight various translations of the same poems, as well as original pieces created by translators, illustrating the nuanced art of translation.

The collection is organized into thematic zones that showcase interconnected works of Surrealism, classical Greek poetry, visual poetry, and Asian poetry. In the introduction, Sze emphasizes that “a good translation appeals to our ears, eyes, and heart,” describing it as a unique endeavor that renders the ancient contemporary and makes foreign works emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually resonant.

"Transient Worlds" invites readers to explore the transformative power of language and encourages them to create their own translations and poetry inspired by this process.