Poems from the Wilderness by Jack Mayer is a collection of musings and prose inspired by the great outdoors combined with human experiences with the spirit, physics, and music. Spiritually rewarding, refreshing, and reflecting, this collection brings Jack Mayer’s perspective about the purpose of human existence to life in the most beautiful and magical way. While some talk about grandeur, his perspectives have also been inspired by his personal life experiences as he reflects upon the trails and mountains. Winner of the International Proverse Prize, 2019, this collection mirrors Jack Mayer’s love for nature and vividly describes his thoughts and understanding of God’s creation.

Jack Mayer has an inimitable, creative, and sometimes humorous style of writing, which adds depth to the reading experience. The sensuous and bright poetry will take readers to the wilderness. The poet’s raw emotions are presented in a candid and humble manner and they come across as a generous gift to lovers of American poetry. The flow of words and the deep emotions felt through his poetry will have the readers go back to the poems again and again. A great read for a positive, refreshing outlook, this book will have a lasting effect on readers.

His collection seems to be an ode to nature that he has loved and respected all his life while also touching on other themes. The poems have been divided into different sections, such as Forest and Trail, further reflecting his inspiration behind the poems and making the book easy to navigate and relate to. His poems cater to a niche of poetry lovers who are fond of subjects such as human civilization, and a writing style matching classic poets like Gary Snyder, Walt Whitman, and Han Shan. This collection is a delightful, beautifully deep read. In a time of climate change, this collection sounds themes that are not only arresting but relevant, inviting readers to contemplate the beauty in nature and our communion with it.