Shared Universe: New and Selected Poems 1995–2020

by Paul Vermeersch, Daniel Scott Tysdal (Introduction)

“An invaluable aid in this time of troubled spirits, muddled truths, and convoluted thinking.” ― Mark Mothersbaugh, Devo Paul Vermeersch has reinvented the “new and selected.” Bringing together the very best of his poetry from the last quarter century with new and never-before-published works, Shared Universe is a sprawling chronicle of the dawn of civilizations, the riddles of 21st-century existence, and any number of glorious, or menacing, futures. Selected poetry collections are traditionally organized according to the books in which the poems first appeared, but these poems are arranged by prophecy and mythos, corresponding to the human (or trans-human) body, or as dictated by animal speech. In this universe, time is thematic instead of chronological, and space is aesthetic rather than voluminous. Here, alongside popular favourites, are recently unearthed gems and visionary new poems that reveal the books hidden within the books of one of Canada’s most distinctive and imaginative poets.

Genres: Poetry, Canada

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

Paul Vermeersch is a poet, multimedia artist, professor, and editor. His eighth collection of poetry, NMLCT, was published in September 2025 by ECW Press. Paul holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Guelph for which he received the Governor General's Gold Medal. He is currently a professor at Sheridan College where he serves as the editor-in-chief of The Ampersand Review of Writing & Publishing. He is also the senior editor of Wolsak and Wynn Publishers where he created the poetry and fiction imprint Buckrider Books. He lives in Toronto. Instagram: @paulvermeersch

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Vermeersch's work. These new and selected poems are full of imagery and metaphors and at times speculative. Themes of the celestial, mythological, the natural elements, the 21st century, how the universe is shared and more! Very unique and imaginative! I dont think I have ever read any poetry quite like it! The layout is perfect, instead of being organized as they were written it was more by theme, making reading them more linear which I really enjoyed.

Available Sept 1st!
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Thank You to the publisher for sending me this book opinions are my own.
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For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong

[Taryn Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an introduction to Paul Vermeersch's poetry for me. I found the collection eclectic and highly energetic, ranging in theme from the suburban to the celestial to the speculative. The poems were nicely organized, focusing more on theme than time they were written.

[Ben Berman Ghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utter delight

[Hollay Ghadery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my first time reading Vermeersch's work--I am a long time admirer. Was delighted by the playful, entrancing and obsessive pull of these poems.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shared Universe: New and Selected Poems by Paul Vermeersch is a unique collection of poetry. It does come with a lengthy introduction by Daniel Scott Tysdal. Needless to say, if you are unfamiliar with the poet’s work, spend some time on the introduction. It is beneficial and not a waste of time.

Vermeersch is to poetry what Douglas Adams is to science fiction. The collection is divided into sections covering prophetic poems and other world or other reality poems. The reader needs to have the right mindset before beginning the collection, or it will seem almost nonsensical. However, understanding before diving will help a great deal. I admit I was a bit surprised that I enjoyed the poems. The poetry is excellent, but the subject matter is out there…literally and then right back here with poems on different shades of gray. A delightful collection of poetry.

[Margaryta · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Vermeersch is an amazing storyteller who combines acute observations and humor to reimagine our own world as well as give us glimpses into other, parallel ones. The thematic rearrangement helps mitigate the fault that many collected volumes have of running the risk of coming off as repetitive, where readers who might already own that particular individual collection might skip over the respective section in the collected volume. By creating the kind of narrative-driven structure that is detailed in the book's introduction, Vermeersch integrates the new and the old in such a way that makes the poems feel like they are welcoming the reader into a new space, a new frame of thinking.

[Elysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author uses perseverance, the conformity in communities and different relms we are put was intriguing my thoughts of what the Universe is shared as. Loved the order of the book and how well written it was.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated this insightful into Paul Vermeersch's work. Shared Universe is detailed and exploratory, a perfect literary companion when thinking about this poet or verse, in general. Recommended for lovers of this form, to which I return more and more.

[K.R. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about SHARED UNIVERSE that hasn’t been said in its resolutely whimsical introduction? Not much. But what I will say is that it’s mythic and freaky and incisive and sure-footed and magnificent and that you should pick up a copy.

[Jill Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The universes created by Vermeersch in this collection of poems are mystical, creative and engrossing.  With Daniel Scott Tysdal’s introduction readers get a sneak peak on what to expect page-by-page, or should I say universe-by-universe.  Unlike a typical then to now collection, Vermeersch opts to stray from the chronological order typically seen.  Rather, this collection takes on a more logical jaunt through the beginning to end of times as I’ve interpreted it, and that’s the beauty of poems, their circumstance and grip is in the eye of the beholder.
Buckle up for this ride through the fantastical ages as Vermeersch delivers a wholly captivating collection of poems throughout the decades.
*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher; all opinions are my own.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shared Universe
New and Selected Poems 1995–2020
by Paul Vermeersch

ECW Press
Poetry
Pub Date 01 Sep 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Shared Universe New and Selected Poems 1995-2020 through ECW Press and Netgalley:




In this book Paul Vermersch has reinvented the “new and selected.”. He has brought the very best of the last quarter of a century. Shared Universe Chronicles of the dawn of civilizations, as well as the riddles to our existence in the twenty first century, as well as any future possibilities whether they be menacing or glorious.






I give Shared Universe four out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Kayla Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's copy of Shared Universe.

"In this universe...time is thematic instead of chronological. Space is aesthetic instead of voluminous."

I want to start this review by saying that I did not enjoy this poetry collection, but I think someone with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of poetry would. For the most part, I had no idea what the author was trying to convey with his poetry. For that reason, I don't think this poetry would be accessible to a wider audience. The premise of this poetry collection was fascinating. However, I found the execution to be too convoluted for my taste.

[Jeff Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of poetry by Paul Vermeersch is more than a book, it's an adventure. It's a trip to the stars and down memory lane, a voyage into the depths of pulp culture and western civilization. "Shared Universe" is poetry's equivalent to a blockbuster, but unlike it's cinematic counterparts, it has heart, wit and the dimensionality to kick the reader's imagination into overdrive. It's a truly fine collection of poems from one of the most original and talented voices in Canada, perhaps the whole universe!

[Malaika Platypus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the surreal, apocalyptic tenor that many of these poems took on, as well as the biological metaphors.