Not everyone knows that the famous Russian novelist, playwright and publicist Yuri Polyakov made his literary debut in 1974 as a subtle and original poet, then releasing several books of lyrics. Subsequently, best-selling novels, sharp articles and plays that gather full houses, obscured his poetry from readers, although the author of "Apophegea" and "Goat in Milk" never stopped composing poems.The book "Times of Life" is unique in its own way, this is the first separate edition of selected poems by Yuri Polyakov, written in almost half a century. In addition to well-known texts, the collection also includes previously unpublished poems by the author, including bold satirical and erotic cycles. In addition, the book includes: a new version of the famous memoir essay 'How I was a Poet', articles about poetry and memories of such masters of Russian verse as V. Sokolov, A. Dementyev, E. Yevtushenko, N. Dmitriev, etc.