Merge with the River

By James Downs

"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 good 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"--Back cover.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0971400326
• ISBN13: 9780971400320
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Poetic Matrix Press
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

If you start to read these poems, you may forget to put on the TV

"Merge with the River" is the real thing, description and evocation of nature, as seen through the poet's eye, not presented ready made on television, flat, boxed-in, between commercials, played and played out for consumption. James Downs' poems are in the best tradition of American transcendentalism, and also Walt Whitman. In evoking the immediacy and textures of things, I think that James' poems belong in the company of such poets as William Carols Williams, Stanley Kunitz, Mary Oliver, and Jane Hirshfield. There is a strong Buddhist tone to the poems, as well, in the poet's respect for nature in its transiency. While he describes nature in its immediacy, the poet also writes about the symbolic role of nature in a person's life. There is social consciousness too, in James' poems. Not unlike Joy Harjo, the native American poet, James could be righteous, "In This World: a Reverie" concludes "And the planes and bombs and barracks would be pressed into clean sheets of paper upon which to write each new poem." "Merge with the River" is a beautifully produced volume, published by Poetic Matrix, with a lovely painting by Penny Otwell. Poet and illustrator are both residents of Yosemite valley. There is also a fine photograph of our poet on back cover. This is a lovely book, with which to spend some time. But beware, you may forget to put on the television!

Go on a Journey to Nature

Sit back and relax and go along with author, James Downs on a journey which brings you closer to nature. Experience Yosemite through the eyes and insights of poet and resident. Discover your intimate connections to the world around you. Share this book as a gift to your family and friends, as I have done.