Exit Pursued by a Bear and Others

by Virginia Beards

In the poems of Virginia Beards, insomnia is a 3-ring circus, a Dairy Queen mutates into a funeral parlor, an 18th century graffito enlivens a bedpost in a Venetian palazzo, a swim in the Nile both lulls and terrifies. What she sees both directly and via a sideways glance, the inanities of the overheard as well as of the zeitgeist, and the stresses of domestic relationships are some of her themes in "Exit Pursued by a Bear." Whatever the focus, she is committed to the pleasures of language and to multum in parvo, much in a small space.

Genres: Poetry

102 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2014

Reviews

[Debbie Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted with this "little book of poetry"! A little book with BIG ideas and so eloquently written. One of my favorites was Floaters. Maybe that's because I just had cataract surgery and I certainly related to the subject. I'm taking it to my optometrist for her to read.

Those of you who tend to shy away from poetry might just want to give this anthology of unique poems a try. You will, in all likelihood -- "get it".

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the different perspective on sexual assault. Not what I expected at all.

[Jim Breslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great poems in this chapbook collection. I love "Beast Fable" and "The Good Soldier." "Insomnia Circus" is awesome too. Full of fun literary references - Hemingway, Thoreau, Ford Maddox Ford, and of course Shakespeare. My friend Ginny Beards captures small moments and brings them to life vividly through her words. The last poem, "No Fifty-Second Anniversary," is particularly poignant too.

[Ashley Shaevitz]

It was a really good book and is relatable to teens.