About the book: 2017 / In this collection of poetry, the author collected his works, written both recently and created over many years. The author also included his prose essay “How to Make Poems” in the collection, summing up his many years of work in the field of poetry. This is not an imitation of Mayakovsky, but his influence is undeniable. All of these works (with one exception) were not included in the author’s poetry collection “On Death Row,” published in 2003. Some simply did not exist at the time the collection was compiled, while others did not fully satisfy their creator. That is why under some works (often very small ones) there is not just one date of their composition or the date of the beginning and end of work on it, but a whole string of dates. But there was still something in the rejected poems, and this “something” forced the author to return to them again and again. And now the work is completed. Now, in principle, almost everything is in the past. That’s why the subtitle is “Poetic Retro.” However, the subtitle could have been different, for example, “The Last Bet.” Why like this? Here's why. This is actually my last poetic bet on the poetry roulette. All my other bets were losing. So, maybe the latter will win?! Finally, the author once again wants to quote the words of the brilliant Chinese poetess (namely a poetess, not a poet!!!) Li Qing-chao (11-12th centuries AD): “But inspiration will not be swept away by time.” On my own behalf, I will add: the fruits of many years of hard work do not easily succumb to the destructive influence of centuries. However, everything is in God's hands.