Ex Nihilo

by J. R. Léveillé

A bilingual collection of renga poetry by two of Canada's most celebrated poets in English and in French, each writing in his respective language in response to the other. A project of discourse itself, shared in dialogue between two poets, as they explore Novalis’ definition of poetry as “the truly absolute real.” The poetic act is world-changing, the agglomeration of atoms as they fall through space – a sort of “elective affinity”, or state of grace – to constitute Being. If Lao Tzu reminds us that the Dao that can be named is not the eternal Dao, this renga, suffused with elements of the natural world, also recognizes that, in the words of Angelus Silesius, ‘‘the unnameable, which we usually call God, is expressed and revealed through the Word.’’ Léveillé and Bloggett share an unprecedented dialogue that possesses both paradox and complete clarity of word in Canada's two official languages.

Genres: Poetry

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2021

Reviews

[Penn Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I am enjoying the beautiful little At Bay Press book, Ex nihilo, by E. D. Blodgett and J.R. Léveillé: a conversation in English and French renga poetry. Out of nothing, so much light!