The Wilderness That Bears Your Name

by James A. Pearson

These poems walk with you through seasons of heartbreak, rebirth, and homecoming.

Drawing on the strength of the natural world to renew itself each spring, this debut collection from James A. Pearson doesn’t flinch from the moments when life comes crashing down. But it’s not stuck there, either.

Each poem meets you with a gentle faith—that just like the trees and the ferns and the summer foxgloves, you carry within you an inextinguishable spark of life. And when you find your way back to that spark, new seasons bloom.

“Only there will you find
the tiny seed
that holds the whole mystery of you
and cradle it
in the warmth of your body
until the spring.”

–from the poem “Wintering”

Genres: Poetry

95 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[blythe hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simultaneously moving and quieting.
Fans of Mary Oliver, Henri Cole, William Carlos Williams, will love James Pearson’s evocative use of the natural world, and reminders that beauty is all around (and inside) us.

[pooja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite. The kind of poetry that changes and nourishes your inner landscape :)

[ele (taylor’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“back when nobody knew exactly where you were, before the person everyone needed you to be learned to find you even there.”

how i loved those metaphors, it’s really original.
A fast and deep reading, i definitely recommend it!

[Darian Seale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how I want to write

[Travis West · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exquisite and deeply wise collection of highly accessible poems. Arranged by the seasons, starting with Fall and adding the PNW-unique “Mud Season” after Winter, Pearson draws such compelling connections between the ethos of each season and the animating questions of life. So many of these poems spoke directly to something I was or had recently experienced, and they prompted such meaningful conversations with my wife. Some lines of his poems have become shorthand for us as we seek more and more each to come home to ourselves each day. Highly recommend!

[Ceinwen Langley]

Lovely.

[Devin Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoke to my soul. So much marked and underlined, even some laugh out loud moments. Beautiful walk with the seasons, letting grief and joy learn from the rhythms around us. Highly recommend!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a beginner when it comes to poetry, but I really liked this one - the collection reminded me of some of Mary Oliver's poems.

[Lindsay O · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning invitation to notice, ponder, and savor. I love reading Pearson’s poetry to my directees in spiritual direction.

[Jessica Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

No notes. Just pure enjoyment and a desire to come back for more.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've long followed James Pearson's poetry on Instagram, and its a delight to hold these words in paperback form. They're powerful in any format, but these are the sorts of poems that make you want to set down your phone and head off into the forest.

These are words to walk you through any phase of life, both optimistic and realistic. Whether you're in the midst of a personal winter or slowly stepping into yourself during spring, you'll find something that resonates. I can imagine this book being a lifelong companion that I'll return to visit again and again. Highly recommended!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and uplifting collection of poetry! I found the author on Instagram and so many of his poems made me pause and read and scroll on feeling encouraged about life and the seasons of life. I am very glad I bought his collection. It’s a lovely softcover broken up thematically by the seasons. The poems are soft and invite softness about our own humanity and the experiences we all go through in life.

[Tulika · Rating 5 out of 5]

James' poetry speaks the language of my soul. I have spent the last many months returning to his words from time to time and culminated reading this collection in the rainforests of Kerala. His embodied wisdom rooted in changing seasons feels very resonant to how I move through life and the journey I have had. I have savoured his words and wisdom in the many seasons I have been through this year and I am grateful for their company on this journey.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t really know how to say what I feel about this book without sounding like a sappy lunatic so suffice it to say I will be keeping extra copies in my house to hand out like candy to everyone I know.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon had this on hand at the Hart’s house, so flew through as some light reading. Jon said it best that some of these do feel like Mary Oliver parodies (he said ripoffs, but I don’t want to be that extreme). A couple of gem phrases that I want to go back to, though.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is truly one of the most beutiful things i have ever read. the peoms helped my mother get through a hard time and me as well. If you like poetry and beauty and nature this is the perfect book for you.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wept my way through this beautiful book of poetry. One of my favorite poets, and finally I own his book! I have been very blessed by Pearson’s poems and writings through Instagram, especially about wilderness and seasons. A lot to dig into and I am sure I will be weathering these pages!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked in so many indie bookstores around the country so I could support local…I’m glad I found it in a place also local to him!

I’d seen a lot of his poems on Instagram posts and also subscribed to his email list. Just really love his outlook and quiet-ness. Lovely book of poetry.

[Laura Beam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such beautiful poetry! It was reminiscent of Mary Oliver or Wendell Berry. I adored so many poems in this! I often have a hard time reading straight through a book of poetry where all the poems are by the same author, but did not feel that way with this book. It was a delight!

[Sondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of poetry to reconnect us within through all that surrounds us in Nature. Poems I will come back to again and again. Love this collection.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, my, is this a beautiful slim volume of poetry. It will sit with me for a very long time.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intended to read slowly and savor…that will be round 2! If you love Mary Oliver, you’ll love this collection.

[Manuel Hernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply enjoyed the entire poetry book. Filled a with sensitive verses that reminded me of Mary Oliver.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

“This Spring” really worked for me in particular.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The right book at the right time for me. In essence be still, be one with nature and find yourself as the poet gently leads us through the seasons.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. Deeply moving

[Tami Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a beautiful little book of poetry to take you through all the times and seasons of life. It gave me plenty of things to ponder.

[Chelsea Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read of the year and it spoke deeply to me. It’s giving John O’Donohue but a little darker and raw and struggling. Which I completely identify with.

[Nicole W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dazzling collection of momentous poetry. This is one of my favorite contemporary collections; each poem is rich with wild elegance. These poems are treasures to behold.

[Bia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and I will re-read it many, many times. 💛