Discovering Truth Through Poetry: ‘Deus Meus’ by K. E. Sermonté
Poetry can surprise you—sometimes with whispers, other times with gut-punches. K. E. Sermonté’s debut poetry collection, Deus Meus, does both effortlessly. Sermonté’s words feel deeply personal, raw, and quietly profound, creating a rare connection that sticks long after you’ve closed the book.
A Journey of Faith and Healing
At its core, Deus Meus tells a story of growing up within a faith that didn’t heal but rather fractured families and distorted the author’s perceptions of God and self. Sermonté bravely peels back the layers, sharing truths many would rather bury. His poems express the turbulence of a faith misused, yet they’re also hopeful—each one a step towards healing, clarity, and newfound understanding. Reading this collection feels like sharing whispered secrets with a close friend late at night—raw honesty mingled with tender vulnerability.
The collection explores themes familiar to many: loneliness, forgiveness, longing, and the aching desire for authentic connection. Sermonté writes with directness and emotional immediacy, like conversations you’d have only when the world sleeps. His poetry is sincere, aching, and full of quiet strength, offering solace in unexpected places. It’s clear that each poem is an intimate dialogue, sometimes with God, sometimes with the self, often both.
Poems that Echo Deeply
Sermonté’s unique voice is strikingly present throughout the collection. Consider the poem What I Mean When I Say I’m Tired, where he captures a universally felt yet seldom expressed truth:
“I don’t mean I want to sleep.
I mean I want to disappear for a while.
To be rain on a stranger’s roof.
To be smoke rising from someone else’s fire.”
These words resonate on a deep emotional level, hinting at a yearning we’ve all felt at some point—the desire to exist without the weight of being fully present. Sermonté captures these fleeting, elusive feelings, giving them shape and voice.
What’s especially delightful—and adds a layer of charm—are Sermonté’s odd, insightful author notes scattered throughout the collection. These quirky, heartfelt glimpses illuminate the inner workings behind each poem. The notes offer readers a chance to peek through the “cracked mirror” that birthed these verses. The effect is both endearing and revealing, like catching a quick glimpse of the artist at work in his private studio.
A Beautiful, Soulful Debut
As if Sermonté’s powerful verse wasn’t enough, the paperback edition of Deus Meus includes delicate watercolor illustrations. These haunting images complement the poetry beautifully, creating a multi-sensory reading experience. It’s rare to find artwork so harmoniously aligned with poetry—each illustration feels less like an addition and more like a seamless extension of the words themselves.
Sermonté’s style blends classical poetic elegance with contemporary emotional directness. His influences range from ancient texts to modern psychology, creating poetry that feels simultaneously timeless and immediate. Sermonté’s linguistic background enriches his work with rhythm and musicality, enhancing the emotional depth of every poem. It’s clear this is poetry meant to be spoken aloud, savored slowly, and revisited often.
Meet the Poet Behind the Pages
K. E. Sermonté is a Canadian poet whose work delves deeply into the interplay of faith, memory, love, and loss. His poetry is thoughtful, introspective, and spiritually insightful, offering readers both emotional resonance and intellectual stimulation. Sermonté’s upcoming work, Dear Orpheus, promises further exploration of these themes, drawing inspiration from Greek mythology to craft narratives filled with heartbreak, recovery, and devotion.
Sermonté is more than just a writer; he’s a poetic philosopher. His approach blends lyrical intensity with emotional honesty, inviting readers into spaces that feel simultaneously ancient and vividly contemporary. Praised for his genuine emotional precision and spiritual clarity, Sermonté is swiftly emerging as a significant literary voice—a poet whose works invite readers to slow down, reflect, and find meaning beneath life’s surface.
A Voice Worth Hearing
Sermonté may be relatively new, but Deus Meus announces his arrival loud and clear. It’s a collection that challenges you gently, surprises you profoundly, and offers moments of quiet revelation. For those who’ve struggled with faith, identity, or simply the complexity of existing in this world, Sermonté provides a comforting voice and thoughtful companionship.
With poems that quietly shake you awake and illustrations that linger in memory, Deus Meus is more than just poetry—it’s an experience. Dive in, let Sermonté’s words wash over you, and discover the strange, soulful light shining from within.
We had the privilege of interviewing K. E. Sermonté. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Hi, It’s great to have you with us today! Please share about yourself with our readers.
Hi, I’m from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. My family were blue-collar workers and farmers, and I followed in their footsteps, but I was so unhappy with my life that I decided to pursue my dream of going to school to be an academic.
Please tell us about your journey.
My parents divorced when I was five, and we had a faith that excommunicated them for it. My parents lost most of their family, friends, and support through their divorce. I had lost lots of people I loved and grew up alone, trying to carry the burden of my families emotions. My childhood left me with a disdain for religion and complete disbelief about God. But as I grew up, I realized that God isn’t just about rules and regulations, it’s about a relationship. It’s seeing a deer walk with its fawn on a summer morning. It’s every beautiful thing we take for granted in life.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Writing saved my life; it helped me to think about my feelings and express them in not only a healthy way, but in a way people wanted to listen. For the first time in my life, I felt heard.
Any message for our readers?
This is my debut collection. It’s by no means perfect, but I am happy with what I’ve put together. I kept putting publishing off, but I knew if I didn’t put it out, I’d spend the next two years mulling over trying to make it “perfect,” which it still wouldn’t be. I hope to reach readers who feel seen and understood by my work. I’m excited to share this and work on getting more out. Whoever you may be, wherever you are, whatever hurt you, this book is for you.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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