Poems and Prose Poems: with "The book, spiritual instrument" and "A throw of the dice. . ."

The author embarks on translating Mallarmé's poetry due to dissatisfaction with existing English versions. They emphasize the complexity of Mallarmé's work, which relies on rhyme and meter that often get lost in translation. The author critiques traditional translation methods that impose foreign structures, arguing they obscure the poem's essence. Drawing from their background in 20th-century French poetry, they aim to capture the musicality and layered meanings of Mallarmé’s original verses, hoping to resonate with the influences of notable American poets.