Precieuze mechanieken

de Erwin Mortier

After years of waking nights full of despair and fear, Erwin Mortier started to write poetry again. 'Precieuze mechanieken' [= Precise mechanics] is the result. While the world falls prey to our civilization and mankind is in danger of losing its sense of aesthetics, the poet stands up firmly in the belief that nothing less than beauty can save the world from rampant hatred. In 'Precious Mechanics' Mortier goes to war against ugliness and focuses on the beauty of the language. He winks at Flaubert, Zagajewksi and other dear writers whom he considers his literary fathers. As in his novel 'Gestameld liedboek', he also addresses his deceased mother to open his heart. At the end she speaks back, offers him a glimpse into the kingdom of Heaven and reassures her son.--provided by publisher, translated from Dutch.