Merge with the River
by Yosemite poet James downs
Cover art by Yosemite Artist Penny Otwell. Nominated for the Before Columbus Foundation, American Book Awards 2004
Published by Poetic Matrix Press
102 pages, price $15.00
ISBN 0-9714003-2-6
Available at Amazon.com
Description
The Book
If you can find philosophy in rivers and trees, rocks and beasts James has done so. Here are the roots of natural philosophy of which sages old and new have spoken. First it is observed and then it is gotten up close to, soon the words come and they are the fine blending of that world out there and the poet's voice. But there are times when the blending is so complete that the two become one. James has taken us here. We go with him on the journey and we nod our heads along with him as nature gives up her philosophy when we give up ourselves.
"James touches something at once personal and yet with universal depth and appeal.
His writing evokes a sense of his place in Yosemite and the world."
— Ed McCormick, photographer
"These poems will inspire anyone who lives to have a connection with the natural
world. A truly wonderful poetic work"
— Ed Whittle, musician
"‘Take a short sweet walk' with poet James Downs. Come sit with him, in his forests,
by his rivers. Find the simple truths that connect to all."
— Jo Maiorano, poet
James Downs
James Downs lives and works in Yosemite National Park, California. A native Texan, James moved to the golden state in 1995 and happily calls himself a "permanent Californian." James produces a twice yearly on-stage writer's night, WORDS. James has produced a number of handwritten chapbooks and Where Manzanita in 2000 for Poetic Matrix Press In his spare time James reads copiously, roots for his sports teams loudly, participates in as many poetry readings as possible and hikes all over Yosemite.
Reviews
- Reviewed by Paul Dolinsky, The Golden Lantern
- Reviewed in PoetsWest by Joe Zaccardi
From Merge with the river:
| Without falling | Bait |
|---|---|
|
Upper vistas granitic rock outcropping sit and let my mind soar it flies along as the river winds as the river winds around i can see below the waters flow alpine willow branches bend down to the edges on the horizon crags and sky touch i can sail silently let my mind be part of it all from this high up i float with the sense it all fits together a perfect puzzle it turns this way then that bending through a sun coming up we all want to fly in this life without falling |
Two fishermen flipping lines out over water over and over again making that filament sing making fake fisherflies alight and jerk them back again alight and jerk alight and jerk lightly flitting surfaces with tempting allures and the fish see them it must be dinnertime and their sure shimmering bellies are empty and along come fisherfellows with talk of food "oh don't go for them" i say "it's only these fakes these cons these flibbetegibbets" but who am i to speak? how many times have i looked up at radiant surfaces seen something with such allure when i was hungry or just plain bored and bitten down hard taking the bait hook line and sinker? |