[Jennifer Reeser]

My deep thanks to each and every participant. I enjoyed reading all the entries; not a terrible one appeared in the lot, and I wish I could publicly recognize them all. Rachel Hadas has made the observation that the act of translation is the most selfless act a writer can make, and I believe it. My gratitude to all of you, for sacrificing your time and talents, in someone else's name, and for a cause other than your own. You are, indeed, the saints and martyrs of literature.

First Place: Return of the Diplomat, Joaquim Du Bellay
Second Place: Catullus 39
Third Place: Les Cloches du Soir, by Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

Three virtually flawless transferences. I would like to award my "Honorary Mention" to Scherbakov's "Returning from a Journey." Being a Russian translator myself, I was astonished by the skill on display here, a skill which must be almost wholly organic and original, considering the scarcity of "cribs" in the English language which exist for material such as this.

As Alex mentioned, great personal tragedy struck me, during this contest, and I must devote my time and talents henceforth to that -- its aftermath being of considerable weight, for me. I would be grateful if Alex or a moderator might do the honors of the popular vote and "celebration" now.

Thank you so much, again. May the best of Fortune be yours, in your future interpretations, all.

Sincerely,
DG 007