Many thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a copy of this publication. The following review are my honest thoughts.

Stephen Pollock's collection of poetry is simply brilliant, a collection that you will want to read again and again. These are not the type of poems you typically find in mainstream collections and that adds a bit of nostalgia and classism to them.

Expertly exemplifying a number of different themes - everything from mortality, to nature, to grief, and to even a bit of mythology - Pollock amazingly conveys the fragility of human life, the anxieties over the unknown/death, and yet, how to still be present in modern times. Each piece is paired with a different work of art and it adds an extra layer of understanding and really does resonate with the writing.

My favorite writings were "Tube" and "War Crimes."

This is smart, clever, and often beautiful poetry; when it's not beautiful, it's because it shouldn't be: Pollock expresses despair and anger just as well as amusement and pleasure. The imagery is superb and original, and the word choices startling, surprising, and attention-grabbing. I can't wait to read more of the author's work.

Exits by Stephen Pollock is a beautiful and elegant collection of poetry. While utilizing themes of life, illness, nature, and mythology, Pollock creates poems with interesting forms and a variety of literary devices. They beg to be read aloud, as there is a lyrical quality to most of the poems.
Pollock's poetry feels classical, but touches our modern lives. He can (and does) make a tube of toothpaste interesting and worthy of thought.
My only complaint are the illustrations - they don't have a cohesive look, so some of the feel a bit like google search results. They distract from the poems, which do not need visual accompaniments.
My favorite poems were the "Spine of Dorian Gray" and "Dung Beetles."
I'm excited to read more from Pollock in the future.

It‘s beautifully written, but for me personally it was difficult to understand what every poem meant.
I don‘t read much poetry but hoping to get more into it.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

I enjoyed this book. At first I thought it will be all depressing because of the cover, but the total delivery of each collection of poetry was beautiful. The illustrations were all also good. Its nice that at the end the author recognized the snippets of some of the poems and also the drawings. Overall its a good short read.

Thank you for Netgally and Windtree press for the ARC.


3.8/5 stars

"...that a dream is not so much
that scrap of rubber on the ground
as the breath that once filled it."

I wish I understood more of what these poems meant. I feel like his type of poetry is too advanced for me at this time, but he writes beautifully.

**Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for a review!**

<b>Absolutely beautiful.</b> During the first poem I was worried I wouldn't like this, that maybe the author was the type of poet who just writes poems to hear the sound of his own voice, but then by the end of the poem when it took what I felt was a sympathetic turn towards the spider I figured there might be something here, and boy am I glad I stuck with it.

My favorite poems in the collection are: Leaves (for Shinayo Matsumoto) (which was a beautiful memorial poem), Zombie Fires, War Crimes (which disturbed me greatly), Ash (simple yet beautiful), Spine of Dorian Gray, and Oak.

The photos and art accompanying the poems was special too but truly the voice and sensibility on display here and the lens through which Pollock chooses his subjects, what values, fears, and musings seem worth writing about to him, is the true specialty. There is something immensely relatable and nostalgic, maybe comforting, about his voice even when I think the subject matter is disturbing or ugly, there's a sensibility and vocabulary choice there I find really understandable, relatable, and immediately familiar.

Glad I picked this up. Thanks to NetGalley.

Exits by Stephen C. Pollack is an accomplished collection of poems that belies the fact that this is, indeed, a debut. This is contemporary poetry that strives to make sense of the death and decay that is inevitable as we move through a finite existence. The provocative images serve as a reminder of the beauty contained in the here and now. This is, truly, a most impressive debut.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Windtree Press for an ARC.

Very enjoyable with lovely imagery! I loved the use of language and the big topics tackled within. It's a small book, but one that packs a big punch.

A collection of well-written poems. Not the type of poems I enjoy or prefer but well-written nonetheless.

I am so thankful that I was approved to consume and digest the powerful prose that is written down by Stephen C. Pollock in "Exits". This collection of poems is set to publish on June 29, 2023, and I am so excited for the author and publication for the hype to come!

This collection of poetry was an excellent read. Its thought provoking. This collection reminds me of a circle, circle of life. I maybe wrong but that's how I precived the book., but then again anyone who reads the collection may have different opinions. Beautiful poetry and beautiful pictures.

I received q free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review.