New Books Network Paul Vermeersch, "NMLCT: Poems" (ECW Press, 2025)
Dec 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, poet and multimedia artist Paul Vermeersch dives into his latest work, NMLCT, where digital realities intertwine with mythical narratives. He reveals how his poems reflect the chaos of a 'post-truth' society, exploring themes of authenticity versus artificiality. Vermeersch discusses the significance of animal imagery as symbols of nature and shares insights on the creative process, emphasizing the importance of revision and patience. His playful approach to poetry sparks a conversation about the balance between experience and argument in writing.
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Poetry Probes Human vs. Machine
- Paul Vermeersch frames his work as probing the boundary between the human and the man-made world.
- He locates this book in changing digital realities and aims to make the poems respond, not preach.
Form Creates Logical Doubt
- The Cubic Wolf deliberately collapses mutually exclusive categories to create doubt.
- Vermeersch asks readers to sit with that doubt as a poetic method, echoing Keats's negative capability.
Shapes Represent The Synthetic
- Geometric shapes function as metaphors for the synthetic, flattening side of experience.
- Juxtaposing shapes with animals reveals the latter's liveliness and the former's lifelessness.