My Comfort Zone Poem by Tatev Chakhian

I know six languages -
all of them imperfectly.

It means I make up half of the conversations,
I build up half of what I read,
and this endless monologue is the guarantee of my happiness:
any book may end up the way I want.

I love in between languages
and free my lovers from the trouble of whispering into my ear
compound- romantic-subordinate clauses:
I'll do it myself!

Translating misunderstood poems
touches my soft palate
like the hospitality of a restaurant owner.

Road signs in foreign languages
protect my freedom of movement,
but more often give me the right to get lost.

I always have the privilege to agree silently and smile.
I always have the choice not to understand but keep smiling.
Not knowing is not a mitigating factor,
but as all I know is six languages,
all of them imperfectly -
I always have the advantage
to mitigate the factors.

_ Translated from Armenian into English by Tatev Chakhian