Every life is finite. Though circumstance and timing may vary, death remains the one inescapable attribute of the human condition. Awareness of this inevitability and recognition of the transient nature of our biological selves profoundly affect each person’s perspective on their life and its meaning.

The poems in this book relate to one or more aspects of mortality—disease and decline, death and remembrance. Many of the images and metaphors are drawn from nature. In addition, each poem is paired with a piece of artwork intended to resonate with the writing and enhance the reader’s experience.

Despite the ostensibly somber theme, all of the poems feature vivid imagery and abundant wordplay. The collection also presents a potpourri of styles, ranging from traditional forms to free verse to hybrid works. Nine of the poems have appeared in literary journals, and six have been recognized in regional or international poetry competitions.

In a world ravaged by contagion, famine and war, Exits dovetails with the prevailing zeitgeist.

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“Full of wit, insight, and provocative imagery, EXITS is a masterful collection by award-winning poet Stephen C. Pollock. The formal poems are the best. Some are sonnets as artful as any by Shakespeare or Ben Jonson.” IndieReader, 5 stars

“A unique and diverse group of harmonious poems…producing the multilayered depth that distinguishes lasting poetry.” BookLife Reviews, Editors Pick

“Exits is an accomplished, beautifully produced poetry chapbook.  Readers of contemporary poetry will find a thought-provoking work of literary merit in these pages.” BlueInk Review

“Pollock’s poetry is brilliant — consistently employing succinct, sublime and evocative imagery to remind us of how often we can find ourselves in nature, and thus how we must seek to protect it, from the spider’s web, to the seeds scattered by a Goldfinch.  The exploration of form is thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring as each choice, whether it be the use of a sonnet or shape, reflects Pollock’s subject matter, creating an immersive experience for the reader.” Kristiana Reed for Reedsy Reviews, Also Editor-in-Chief for Free Verse Revolution magazine.

Cover for EXITS by Stephen C. Pollock, selected poems