Musings from the Mountain by James A. Spillane
One of the reasons I chose to live in the Appalachian Mountains was to find wonder within the natural world. As a writer, I find no greater inspiration than just looking out over the mountains in the early morning, when the clouds hang low in the valley and the sun rises above a white sea.
Since time immemorial, people have found inspiration in nature: its beauty, grandeur and steady presence. For over 30 years, James Spillane has used poetry to document the inspiration he’s found in the mountains of his home. Musings from the Mountain (B&N Press) is the culmination of his work exploring nature and all the emotions it elicits — from love and passion to grief and pain.
Vast Themes & Styles
Spillane’s poetry ranges vastly in both theme and style, all interlaced with lavish nature imagery that ties them all together.
Some poems examine the beauty and power and, well, nature of nature. While on the surface a simple enjoyment of Fall, “Autumn Joy” explores the connection between nature and man. “Summer’s Doom” laments the passage of time, but also points out we should enjoy our place within this “calmer, peaceful, earthly pace.”
Quite a few of his poems examine the passage of time in nature, specifically relating to the four seasons. Spillane ponders the long life of a stone in “Ponderance.” An epitaph titled “For Monty” centers around the comparison of the seasons with human life. His second sestina, “Unhibernating,” paints an almost erotic portrait of the changing seasons with continuous imagery of kissing buds, waking beasts and stirring feelings.
There’s an abundance of love poems as well, some referencing familial love (such as “Father” and “Yesterday”) while others vividly explore romantic, passionate love. And while many of his romantic poems reference deep passion, “The Rising Tide” explores a gentler, steady love.
Alongside these love poems, you’ll find quite a bit of pain and grief as well, both in his epitaphs and other pieces, such as “Destiny of Soul” and “White Roses.”
Some Favorites
In a poetry collection, as in most collections, there are some pieces that will speak to you more than others. Every reader has their own unique tastes and will take away something different from the next person. For me, three poems left quite a mark.
In the beginning of “The Butterfly’s Promise,” Spillane wonders why a caterpillar receives its wings in Autumn when Spring seems like a much more appropriate time for such a transformation. But by the end of the poem, he sees this transformation in a new light: “When frost is biting in the morn, / A butterfly will rise and play / Brought forth amid the waning year. / His promise Death can’t have its way.” I love seeing this kind of shift in perspective in poetry.
“When First She Walked” is a love poem with a pleasing rhyme and rhythm (a common theme found throughout the book), about when the narrator first saw the woman he would later call the love of his life. The first two stanzas paint her beautiful character and reveal the narrator’s nervousness — but it’s the last stanza that strikes the heart. In short, it’s a plea for Fate to keep Death away from the two lovers as long as possible: “And now I watch with longing eyes / As Fate begins to weave our lives … My wish: that Fate is kind to me, / To weave my road the longest route … the road that’s built for two — / And let me ride along with you.”
“Consanguinity” was a little tricky to grasp at first since it’s centered around an unknown person — is it a lover, a friend, a stranger, or perhaps nature itself? All we know is that the narrator is not alone, and they can sense this other presence in the world around them. Every action from the unknown person is felt in the natural world: “Your heart beats / And I feel the tremors in the earth … You dream / And the stars and moon all sense / Your power and passion. / And the heavens blush.” (Ah, that last line gives me chills every time!)
Breathtaking Nature Imagery
Musings from the Mountain is a poignant exploration of a vast range of emotions, all connected deeply to the natural world. Spillane’s use of imagery is breathtaking and at times surprising; one of my favorite lines comes from the last poem, “Nothing,” and reads: “As I settle between your legs / To feast / (Licking honey from the wings / Of a butterfly).”
The book is filled with so many great lines like this, the kind that stick with you long after putting the book down. You’re sure to find something you enjoy within these pages — you might even find some inspiration too.
About the Author:
James A. Spillane is a NH Native, father of 3, and resides on a mountain in Deerfield, New Hampshire. He found inspiration at an early age in the Romantic Period and has always been drawn to the spirituality present in nature. His first published poetry book, Musings from the Mountain, is a collection of poems that span over 30 years of inspiration and writing.
In his non-literary life, James channeled his love for New Hampshire into being part of the large volunteer legislature, serving as an elected member of the House of Representatives, and he also founded the New Hampshire Veteran Sportsman Foundation, a charity that provides free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans who need assistance.
