Translator Jeffrey Angles Discusses Crafting 'Memory of a Three-Year-Old'

Jeffrey Angles, a translator and poet, has shared insights into the creation of his poem "Memory of a Three-Year-Old" in a new feature from The Paris Review. In the piece, Angles reflects on the creative process behind the work, noting at one point that he "couldn't spend another second thinking about parasitic roundworms," suggesting a shift in focus or inspiration during composition.

The Paris Review's "Making of a Poem" series offers writers an opportunity to discuss the origins and development of individual poems. Angles, known for his translations of Japanese poetry and his own creative work, uses the platform to explore the personal and artistic considerations that shaped this particular piece. The poem appears to draw on early childhood memory, though specific details about its content and themes were not elaborated in the available excerpt.

The feature provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at poetic craft, a regular offering from The Paris Review that illuminates the often opaque process of literary creation. Angles' commentary joins a long tradition of poets reflecting on their work for the publication's readership.