The Shape of Disappearing Letters

In The Shape of Disappearing Letters, Marty Gervais transforms the experience of vision loss into a deeply moving and unexpectedly luminous body of work. Written during the progression of age-related macular degeneration, these poems chart a world becoming softer and less certain, even as new forms of perception emerge. With clarity, restraint, and emotional precision, Gervais reflects on memory, family, art, and the act of seeing— both literal and metaphorical. The result is a collection that confronts physical limitation while uncovering moments of wonder, resilience, and creative renewal. A significant contribution to contemporary Canadian poetry, this collection will resonate with readers drawn to intimate, reflective work shaped by lived experience.