When was the last time you’ve read a work of poetry? I can admit that it has been a few years since I indulged in this art. I received a copy of Stephen C. Pollock’s Exits and this collection of contemporary poetry takes you for a ride. There are 19 poems included in this piece and if you are a fan of contemporary poetry, you may enjoy his work.

Blurb:

Stephen C. Pollock’s poetry collection Exits nods to the literary traditions of years past while simultaneously speaking to the present moment. Multilayered and musical, the poems in Exits have drawn comparisons to the work of Eavan Boland and Seamus Heaney. With bold imagery, attention to form, and a consistent through line rooted in the theme of mortality, Pollock’s collection responds to contemporary anxieties surrounding death and the universal search for meaning in life’s transience.

My Thoughts:

I love that there is a photo to accompany each poem. I feel that photos used throughout the collection are a beautiful vision for each poem. This isn’t a light read at all, though. Pollock’s work requires you to sit with each poem, and if you are like me, re-read each verse until you fully understand all the metaphors and symbolism that dance on each page. I would consider this a tough read for those who are new to poetry and/or have stepped away from this art for years and are now coming back to it. Out of the 41 poems, there are four that stuck with me.

Here are four poems that stood out to me:

1. Leaves
2. Locomotion
3. Metamorphosis
4. War Crimes

The English major in me would love to dissect each poem in depth, but for now I will tell you why these four stood out to me and my favorite verse from each.

Leaves-

She remembered a time when she was that perfect flower,
Blooming in her kimono
Of peach and green

I envisioned the speaker reminiscing about this beautiful life of this ninety-one-year-old woman, drinking tea and then having her family lay her to rest. This poem captures the human experience. It is the most relatable to me.

Locomotion-

I know these rails of whining steel
Are really spines, the ties but ribs,

The image that accompanies this piece really brings this poem to life. Talk about symbolism! I love that he included this particular photo, and I couldn’t help but think about the human body.

Metamorphosis & War Crimes

I love that both poems include butterflies! Butterflies, to me, represent transformation, rebirth, hope, and freedom. However, there is a slightly darker meaning in these two poems. Hence, the verses below. I love the dark take on this.

Metamorphosis:

Now the butterflies are gone.
They naturally perished; the caterpillars yellow with toxins.

This made me reflect on the use of pesticides, we really have done damage to human nature and have ruined the home of many animal species. It also made me reflect on all of the toxins we put into our own bodies.

War Crimes

That spring
When I was fine
I burned a hole
In the wing
Of a butterfly-

Talk about intense! I’m sure there are plenty of five-year-old’s who were curious to play with fire, but man! There is so much more to dive into after reading his collection of work three times, and the more I dissect it, the more it starts making sense. That is the beauty of poetry, after all. I would give this book three out of five stars. I highly recommend checking out a book of poems and starting to explore in-depth and perhaps, reflecting on your experiences.

Happy Reading Folks!