Poetry. David Budbill continues his popular poetic ruminations on life in remote New England—an outward survey of a forested mountain and an introspection of self-reliance, anonymity, and the creative life. Inspired by classical Chinese and Japanese poets, Budbill contemplates the seasons, ambition, his questionable desire for fame and fortune, and simple, focused contentment: "Weed the beans. Pick the peas."

"Budbill both informs and moves. He is, in short, a delight and a comfort."—Wendell Berry

Author City: WOLCOTT, VT USA

David Budbill was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1940 to a streetcar driver and a minister's daughter. He is the author of seven books of poems, eight plays, a novel, a collection of short stories, a picture book for children, and dozens of essays, introductions, speeches, and book reviews. Zen Mountains/Zen Streets, an audio CD of his poetry, with the music of jazz bassist and composer William Parker, was released on the Boxholder Records label. He has also served as an occasional commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. Among his prizes and honors are a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in playwriting and a Guggenheim Fellowship in poetry. He lives in the mountains of northern Vermont where he tends his garden and website.

Reviews and Other Links
author site
Dana Jennings @ The New York Times Book Review