Near Things

by Mark Dimaisip

In this short collection of poems, Mark uses cats to discuss the urgency of living, math to measure the possibility of happiness and atoms to prove that reincarnation happens. He mixes his own blend of voodoo science and pseudo philosophy to write a world where “the universe has no time to conspire against you” but “everything exists as an extension of yourself”—while thirsts are never fully quenched and “we never get close enough”, he offers a way to make the “the eventual absent present forever”. In this chapbook, everyone will die and will get rebirthed into another life form, but will first exhaust time wresting “meaning out of the dark” and living with the ache “to feel felt”.

Genres: Poetry

24 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2014

Reviews

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dimaisip prides himself in this intellectual tour de force, a glittering swath of science and fantasy, romance and desire wrapped into logic, minute depiction(s), and an assortment of well-researched lines. These, of course, amount to a divided yet calmly enlightening collection. I was particularly captivated by his first section concerning "Schrödinger's cat;" really, lovely twisting and thinking about our more mysterious scientific discoveries. I found myself, by and large, drawn to his simpler works, such as "H20," for his potential is blatently obvious the fewer (and more clever) words he uses.

Near Things receives three stars for its genuine creativity, its latent originality, and its certainty that it will connote many emotions across readers. Dimaisip grows in his conception of words (as previously mentioned) in brevity, for the words are empowered by his subject matter but need not the density of, say, Paradise Lost.

[Roger H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark's poems are definitely original. I love his quirky style. It's intellectual and intriguing. I would definitely recommend this collection to all.

[Rose Armenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is not everyday that you find something that you easily get attached to. Mark's works are like magnet to my soul.

This is not just your ordinary poetry.

[Eu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every word in every poem was beautifully crafted. It talks about silence, love, science, self-realization, life. It is a piece of work which doesn't just explain but teach as well and I think this is the best ingredient that makes this a really nice collection of poems.