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At the Foot of the Mountain
At the Foot of the Mountain is a poetry collection that moves through memory, place, and the hard work of healing. The book shifts between nature scenes, family wounds, cultural identity, and quiet moments of reflection. Every poem feels like a step on a long trail where grief rises, settles, and rises again. Some pieces glow with the warmth of sunlight after rain. Others sit heavy, shaped by loss, longing, and the effort to understand where a person truly comes from. What ties it all together is a steady pulse of hope, small but stubborn, that shows up in forests, mountains, and even the kitchen.
Reading these poems, I found myself pulled in by how raw and tender the writing is. The language is simple on the surface, yet it carries so much under it. I felt a real ache in pieces about mothers, heritage, and complicated love. Some poems made me pause just to picture the scene, like the quiet watchfulness of a deer or the weight of snow on a birch leaf. The book mixes softness with sharp edges, and I liked that contrast. The emotional rhythm jumps aroun,d and I enjoyed never knowing if the next poem would sting or soothe.
I also appreciated how the natural world is used to talk through emotional pain. It is dirt, wind, and cold water. It is trees that fall and birds that migrate, and a trail that forces you to keep walking even when you would rather curl inward. The writing is unpretentious and heartfelt and sometimes unpredictable, which makes it feel alive. Now and then, the imagery overwhelmed me a little, but even that felt like part of the experience. Healing is messy. Memory is messy. The poems let that mess show.
In the end, I walked away feeling moved. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy intimate poetry rooted in nature and personal history. It is a good fit for anyone drawn to stories of recovery told in small, vivid fragments.
Pages: 98 | ISBN : 198911945X
Emotions as the Catalyst
Seasons of Life and Love takes readers on a journey through themes of loss, regret, longing, and joy in a collection of poems centered on the complexities of human emotion. Can you share a bit about your writing process?
I never force my thoughts or words. Something very simple may trigger a thought: a sunset, a breeze, a cloud, a flower. A single flash from a firefly at evening. Then I form an idea in my mind and begin a mental journey.
How do I feel when I look at that sunset? What has my day been like? Do I have any regrets? I put myself in the picture. I ask myself: What simple thought do I want to express? If I can answer that question, then I proceed slowly. I write from developing emotions and elaborate point by point and try end the final stanza with a powerful thought, to let it linger in the reader’s mind.
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When I begin to write poetry, I have one rule in mind. Use simple words, paint clear mental pictures, and write so that the reader can easily grasp the message. If my words strike a common chord with the reader’s feelings, then he/she can figuratively “own” it and call it to mind at will. Powerful thoughts can be expressed with simple words. I want the poem to reflect upon the reader, not upon the poet. Words can last forever; poets do not.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
It began as a personal experience. When I experienced personal tragedy, I went for long walks. I noticed that the weather resembled my life. It was sunny one day, stormy the next, life-threatening occasionally, and afterward, peacefully calm. I had no audience, I wasn’t writing a novel, I was describing my feelings as they related to the weather.
Sometimes I just wrote about the weather. Nature is a very moving experience if one stops to sense its changes. I wrote about losing love, and finding love; and the doubt that comes to mind, questioning the wisdom of signing up for more pain; and that overwhelming sense of euphoria one experiences when the universe aligns with your heart. But it can also be temporary, and when that came, I wrote about that, too. Not all poems were about me, though. Sometimes I would use a personal feeling and generalize a poem, using my emotions as the catalyst. For example, the poem “Jewels,” a romantic poem about a lover returning home in the early morning hours after visiting his love, was developed around the idea of a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.
I rarely write with a specific audience in mind. I write to express inner feelings. If they find an audience (and who hasn’t lost love?) then, that is my audience. I don’t want my poems to be or sound contrived. They must be genuine. If I sense I am slipping into contrivance, I stop and discard the poem. Do I know what I will write about next? No. I have no idea. If asked to write about a certain subject, I cannot. I can only describe what I feel.
Do you have a favorite poem in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?
Do I have a favorite poem? I have many. They must all reach the same standard. “A Ray of Sun” – This was one of my first poems written after losing my family. I was walking a path that took me across a floating bridge over a stretch of water. The day had been cloudy, reflecting my disposition. Midway across the bridge, the sun broke through the cloud, low in the sky. The effect caused me to stop and feel better. It inspired hope. It was the first time I linked the weather to my emotions. Hence: “I knew if I could wait, if I could hang on long enough, I’d see the sun appear.”
“Everything is Beautiful” – this poem was inspired when I visited a retirement home. As I walked along the
hallway, I saw old men and women sitting alone in their rooms with the doors open, virtually abandoned
in a retirement home at the end of their lives. I asked myself: What do they feel inside, and what are their
dreams? I felt sad that someone should end their days like this.
“Hooked” – I love this poem because it is short and sweet and expresses in two stanzas how I felt when I fell in love.
“I Thought of You” – This poem describes perfectly how I felt when I had lost love. Because love lingers long after The Departed have departed.
“Jewels” – I have always loved this poem for the word pictures it elicits and the power of love to push one to great lengths and dangers to experience it.
“Love Whom You Wish” – This is a cautionary poem directed to the one who is leaving the relationship. I love the last stanza. It encapsulates the warning of the one abandoned.
“The Cost of Love” – This poem perfectly reflected my feelings when my relationship crumbled, and it juxtaposes the value each placed on the relationship.
“The Flood” – I wrote this poem with a smile on my face. I was reflecting upon the wonderful experience I had and the intensity of the relationship.
“The Fool” – I think this is one of my most lingering poems. How many have lost love, only to long for its return and be viewed as a fool for remembering it the rest of his/her life?
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
I have hundreds of poems. This is my first published book of poetry. Most of my poems are written in the same style. I have been able to express more clearly my feelings of finding love, basking in love, and losing love. Those are experiences shared by many. I found I was able to describe succinctly my feelings without becoming philosophical. I have simply described human nature.
But life is more than just love. We can find delight in living a day, watching a sunset, experiencing a rainstorm, and seeing the seasons change. I think my poetry has made me more keenly aware of the simple things that life has to offer and that are occurring around us all the time. Often, we overlook them. Don’t. They have been here longer than we. They comfort us. Stop and take note of the emotional treasures they bestow.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
A collection of poems about finding love, losing love, the change of seasons, and moments in the day. In short – it’s about life and love.
Seasons of Life and Love
Seasons of Life and Love is a wide-ranging collection of poems that moves through weather, memory, loss, longing, regret, and joy as if each emotion were its own season. The book ties nature to human feeling in simple, steady language. Storms mimic sorrow. Sunlight lifts the spirit. Quiet evenings bring reflection. The poet uses these images to guide the reader through moments of love, heartbreak, aging, family, and the slow unraveling and rebuilding that we all face. It is a gentle collection, and it lingers on the enduring hope that tomorrow may feel lighter than today.
I found myself pulled in by how honest the poems felt. The writing is plain and open. I kept thinking how the poet reaches for everyday scenes and somehow makes them feel personal. A shift in weather becomes a shift in the heart. A walk at dusk feels like a confession. Sometimes the rhymes tighten the lines in a way that made me smile. Other times they made the sadness feel sharper. I liked that the book never hid from pain. It met it head-on, almost with a kind of calm acceptance. I felt the weight of past loves, old mistakes, and long memories, and I found myself slowing down to take it in.
I also enjoyed the way the poet moves from the small to the big and back again. One poem sits quietly with a single moment. Another sweeps across years in only a few lines. The tone stays warm even when the subject turns dark. There were points where the sentiment leaned a bit heavy, but I could tell it came from a real place. The emotional sincerity is the glue of the book. I liked how the speaker often steps back to reflect on the choices they made. Those moments felt tender, sometimes even vulnerable. I could feel the author trying to make sense of life as it rushes by.
I feel that Seasons of Life and Love is written for readers who want poetry that speaks plainly yet feels deeply. It will appeal to anyone who loves nature imagery, reflections on love and time, or poems that read like diary entries set to rhythm. If you want something gentle, emotional, and rooted in real human experience, this poetry collection will be a good fit for you.
Pages: 126 | ASIN : B0DXR4YLLT
Life’s Transience
Exits is a collection of poems that moves in and out of nature, memory, and mortality with a sharp eye and an unflinching voice. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
Nearly all of the poems in Exits were written between 2003 and 2021, before the idea of authoring a book ever came to mind. Three years ago, I decided to incorporate what I considered to be my best work into a book entitled Line Drawings. However, during the process of selecting poems, I noticed that a substantial number were related to various aspects of mortality. This led me to curate a more concise, themed collection, and Exits was born.
How did you decide on the themes that run throughout your poetry book?
I think my focus on life’s transience — the finite nature of our biological selves — derives from three sources. First, I was raised without any religious training, so from a very young age, I was left on my own to ponder the enormity of the universe, time and eternity, and the meaning of existence. I remember being cognizant of death as early as age five. Second, as a physician and neuro-ophthalmologist, I’ve cared for numerous patients with serious and/or life-threatening diseases. And third, since 1999, I’ve had to deal with the spinal cord variant of multiple sclerosis and the ramifications of that disease.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
During the writing process, the intended audience was always me, or, to be more precise, the facsimile of me that constantly looks over my shoulder and critiques every word I draft. The word ecstasy comes to mind. It captures the elation I feel when a line finally comes together, but it derives from the Greek ek stasis ― to stand outside of oneself.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with writing for a defined audience, or respecting the conventions of a particular genre, or exploring themes and issues that are currently in the public eye. My approach happens to be different. What matters most to me are the words on the page, how they sound in air, and meeting the standards I set for myself.
What did you learn about yourself through writing this book?
The lessons I learned while writing the poems and designing the book (which are outlined below) may be of benefit to other debut authors and/or emerging writers:
- Write poems that reflect your unique aesthetic sensibilities. Try not to be overly influenced by prevailing trends or by contemporary poetic styles.
- Edit mercilessly over an extended period. Satisfying first drafts often begin to show their flaws only after sufficient time has elapsed to afford an objective assessment.
- Begin your foray into publication by submitting poems to literary journals. This will help you determine which of your poems resonates with experienced reviewers. Before each submission, make sure that your poem is a good fit for the journal.
- Be patient. Practically every aspect of the publication process moves more slowly than expected.
- Be persistent. Exits went through twenty-two revisions over the course of a year before I felt it was ready for publication.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
We live our lives counting moments, those we hope will last forever, and those we fear. In Exits, award-winning poet Stephen C. Pollock transforms these moments into sublime and magical music. With language both intimate and powerful, he explores the fragility of life, the cyclical truths of nature, and the mysteries of renewal that arise from even the darkest places.
Each poem is paired with evocative artwork, creating an immersive reading experience that lingers long after the final page. From myth to mourning, from dreams to decline, and from flora and fauna to the warming of our world, Exits reminds us that beauty is never far from loss, and that every departure leaves a door ajar.
Winner of the 2024 North Street Book Prize for Poetry, the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal, and seventeen other literary honors, Exits is a masterful collection for those who believe that poems should move you, stay with you, and change the way you look at life.
Step into these pages. Lose yourself in poetry that’s both technically exquisite and emotionally arresting. And discover why every exit is, in its own way, an entrance.
Exits
Exits is a collection of poems that moves in and out of nature, memory, and mortality with a sharp eye and an unflinching voice. Pollock balances images of birds, leaves, storms, and insects with meditations on illness, grief, and human cruelty. Each poem feels like an opening and a closing at once, a gesture toward beauty that never ignores the shadows pressing in around it. The artwork paired with the text deepens the mood, giving the reader both a visual and lyrical way to linger with themes of death, decay, and renewal.
I found myself pulled into the tension between delicacy and brutality. The spider spinning its web, the butterfly pinned by a child’s cruel hand, the leaves clinging through winter, these images stayed with me. Pollock’s language is careful, yet it carries an undercurrent of urgency, as if each word knows it has little time left. Some poems made me pause and reread, not because they were obscure, but because they struck me with a sudden intensity. Others, like “Steve’s Balloons,” were so unexpected that I had to smile even while feeling the melancholy underneath.
At times, the heaviness of the book pressed down hard. Illness, biopsy, syringe, tube, the clinical intrudes often, and it brought me back to my own brushes with hospitals and fear. That familiarity made the reading even more raw, and I appreciated Pollock’s honesty. He doesn’t romanticize suffering, but he does find ways to trace light through it. There is also a musicality to his lines that reminded me of older poets, the kind whose rhythm stays in your body long after the words leave your mouth. That mix of craft and emotion gave the book both polish and heart.
I would recommend Exits to readers who like poetry that doesn’t look away. If you’re drawn to reflections on life and death, or if you find comfort in nature as a mirror for human experience, this book will speak to you. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a meaningful one, and I think anyone who values honesty wrapped in artful language will find something to hold onto here.
Pages: 45 | ASIN : B0BXVJB79N
Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea
In Pontus and Electra: To the Depths of the Sea, Shanti Hershenson weaves a lyrical, aching tale of two lonely great white sharks—Pontus and Electra—who find purpose and connection in each other. Told in a poetic, vignette-like structure, the book alternates perspectives, blending environmental commentary with raw emotion and surprising tenderness. Against the backdrop of warming oceans, human threats, and grief, Pontus and Electra navigate fear, loss, companionship, and ultimately love, diving deeper into the sea and each other.
I didn’t expect to get emotional reading about sharks, but here I am, completely gutted and grateful. Hershenson writes with a dreamy style that’s both tender and brutal. Lines float like seafoam and then crash like waves. I loved the way she captures the loneliness of the ocean, of being “one-of-a-kind,” of searching the blue void for someone who understands. And when Pontus meets Electra? I held my breath. Their relationship builds slowly, clumsily, beautifully. It’s not just a romance, it’s survival, forgiveness, and healing.
There’s no traditional plot arc, and the prose leans on repetition and abstraction. But for me, it worked. It made the ocean feel mythic, the sharks feel ancient and sentient. The environmental message about pollution, overfishing, oil spills, and the cruelty of finning hits hard, but it never feels preachy. It’s heartbreaking because it’s told through creatures just trying to live. The parts about Electra losing her mother were absolutely wrenching.
Pontus and Electra is a love story, yes, but also a quiet plea to look deeper, to care more, to recognize the wild hearts beneath the waves. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy poetic storytelling, character-driven narratives, or marine life in fiction. Teens and adults alike could connect with it. It’s especially perfect for fans of lyrical prose and gentle speculative stories.
Pages: 139 | ASIN : B0F6VX7GDB
Tranquility, Peace, and Love
Love and Nature/Amor y Naturaleza is a collection of bilingual poetry centered around the themes of love, nature, and fantasy presented in both Spanish and English. What inspired you to write this collection?
What inspired me is found within the title of the book. Recalling feelings and emotions of love inspired me. Being in and analyzing nature and my surroundings inspired me. Love and nature are universal subjects and thus I wanted my first book to have themes that a large number of people could relate to. Life itself and all of my experiences inspired me to create this. God himself and the universe inspired me. I wrote this book out of a place of tranquility, peace, and love hoping to elicit positive emotions for the readers.
Do you have a selection within this collection that particularly resonates with you?
It’s hard to pick a favorite one, now I know how it feels when I ask my friends which one is their favorite. One of my favorites would have to be Like The Earth. Love and nature are found within the earth itself. A true love is nurturing and kind just how the earth is described in the poem. I remember enjoying trying to come up with the similarities found within love, a woman, and earth. I think it shows how we are connected to earth and nature in a deeper way, a way which we many times overlook or don’t even think about.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore within your poetry?
For me, the important themes were love, nature, reflection, analyzation, self-reflection, self-love, and connectivity to nature. We get so caught up being on the hamster wheel of life and in the bustle of life that we forget to slow down and take in the beauty of life and nature. Although life can be hard and is not always peaches and cream it is important to be grateful for the beauty and the positive things around us. This is something I hope my readers can relate to.
Can readers look forward to more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I would like to think that writers and poets are always writing and brainstorming. I will continue to write poetry, and I have ideas on what my next book will be. I can’t say exactly what my next poetry book will entail but I can ensure that there will be more poems as this first book was a relatively short read. Before writing my next book I would like to feel content with the amount of support I have received with my current book. Even if it does not get the amount of support I want I will most likely still release another book as I believe it is important to create things and share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and connect with other people. Connecting with others is what makes us human after all.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
El libro es una colección de poemas escritos en la naturaleza o mientras la observábamos. El libro se inspira en los fuertes sentimientos que pueden suscitarse cuando amamos a alguien o incluso en cómo nos sentimos cuando somos conscientes de cómo nos amamos a nosotros mismos. Es una inspiración de la belleza que se encuentra en la naturaleza y también de los pensamientos, sentimientos y emociones que se derivan de estar enraizados en ella. El libro incluye algunas metáforas que explican cómo experimentamos los sentimientos de amor. Finalmente, el libro incluye la intersección entre naturaleza y amor y cómo el amor puede encontrarse en la naturaleza. El autor espera conectar con los lectores, ya que el amor y la naturaleza son universales y, por ello, espera que el lector se sienta identificado con algunas de las palabras escritas en este breve libro. Si el autor es capaz de suscitar un pensamiento, un sentimiento o una conexión con cada lector, entonces ha hecho su trabajo.
Love and Nature/Amor y Naturaleza
Love and Nature/Amor y Naturaleza, authored by Abraham Garcia, is an eloquent compilation of bilingual poetry, seamlessly blending themes of love, nature, humanity, and fantasy in both Spanish and English. Garcia commences his collection with “Forever,” a heartfelt ode that reveals his profound appreciation and adoration for his partner. Through his vivid depiction of eternal love, Garcia not only celebrates the joy and serenity this bond brings into his life but also sets the tone for the collection.
As the book progresses, Garcia explores the intricate and inseparable relationship between love and nature, portraying them as fundamental and authentic aspects of life. His writing delves into the subtle, often unnoticed beauties of the natural world – the serenity of rainfall, the majesty of trees, the freedom of birds, and the warmth of sunshine. In doing so, he invites the reader to pause and relish the omnipresent yet frequently overlooked marvels of the natural environment. As a reader who has experienced love, the authenticity and relatability of Garcia’s love poems evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection.
His keen attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of moments speak to his profound observational skills and deep emotional connection with his subjects. The poem “Essence” particularly stands out, showcasing Garcia’s dedication and enchantment with his muse, evoking a desire in the reader for such personalized, heartfelt verses. “The Train,” my personal favorite from this collection, resonates on a different level. It vividly captures the tranquil pleasure of train journeys, echoing the simple joys of watching the landscape pass by and the inherent peace in such moments. Garcia’s skillful use of language and imagery in this piece mirrors these sentiments, connecting profoundly with anyone who cherishes similar experiences.
The bilingual presentation of this anthology is a commendable feature, making it accessible and appealing to a diverse readership. Compact yet impactful, Love and Nature/Amor y Naturaleza is a delightful read, especially for enthusiasts of romantic poetry. It’s an invitation to explore the depth of love and the beauty of the natural world through the eyes of a poet who skillfully intertwines these themes.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0CX47R7GQ
LITERARY TITAN 