The Trumpet of the Dead
After Paul Demets debuted in 1999 with ‘The Parrot Disease’, he went on to become a leading figure in Dutch-language poetry. With ‘The Trumpet of the Dead’, he adds one of the most personal collections to an already impressive and prolific poetic oeuvre.
A first-rate collection. ‘Heart-warming poetry’ that deserves to be promoted with great fanfare.Cutting Edge
In this collection, the poet reflects on the heart attack that nearly cost him his life in 2015 and which, in his own words, marked the start of a second life. The poems are divided into five cycles, each titled with a medical term, reflecting the poet’s physical and existential exploration. Drawing on the profound confrontation with his own mortality, Demets takes a fresh look at himself, his surroundings and society. He allows humanity and nature, the past, present and future to merge in rebellious poetry, resulting in a collection that transcends its autobiographical origins. This is vintage Demets, confirming his talents as a socially engaged, versatile poet.
A pulsating work that can sometimes make you feel a bit dizzy, but which, more often than not, is incredibly captivating and thought-provoking.DWB
