Stephen Pollock

Exits is a collection of poetry by Stephen Pollock. The collection features a diverse range of poems, each exploring themes of mortality, nature, and the human experience. The preface sets the tone, reflecting on the inevitability of death and its impact on human perspective. Pollock’s poetry captures the transient beauty of life, the cycles of nature, and the promise of renewal, reflecting contemporary challenges of climate change, war, and global crises. Each poem is accompanied by artwork, creating a rich interaction of visual and literary art.

The poems include Arachnidæa: Line Drawings, Seeds, Leaves, and Syringe, which explore the fragility of life and the destructive forces of nature and humanity. Arachnidæa: Line Drawings uses the imagery of a spider’s web to reflect on mortality, control, and the passage of time. Other poems, such as Zombie Fires and War Crimes, examine global and historical tragedies, from climate change to human cruelty and war. War Crimes for example recounts a childhood memory of burning a butterfly, drawing parallels to humanity’s capacity for violence and destruction. Each poem provides a unique lens through which we can examine the human experience. The book also features an extensive artwork index, showcasing a variety of images drawn from nature. From photographs of dewdrops on a web, to mixed media images of cicadas and tropical palms, the artwork adds depth to Pollock’s poetry.

Overall, Exits by Stephen Pollock is a beautiful and moving collection, and a must-read for anyone who enjoys poetry and art alike.

Star rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A breath-taking collection of poetry and art that offers profound insights into the human experience.