If Thoreau lived in southern Texas today, these are the poems he would write. Transcendental in scope, steeped in nature and place, and filled with wisdom, these accessible and finely crafted poems explore what we can learn from the natural world around us if only we will listen. However, the poems are still relevant and speak to our social and political climate today.

Jim LaVilla-Havelin is the author of eight books of poetry, including A Thoreau Book (Alabrava Press, 2025). He is the co-editor of the University of Houston Press, Unsung Masters volume on Rosemary Catacalos (2025), serves as literary executor for her estate, and is assembling her unpublished work for a volume titled Sing!

An educator, editor, and community arts activist, LaVilla-Havelin was, for over 10 years, Poetry Editor for the San Antonio Express-News. He has been the Coordinator of National Poetry Month in San Antonio’s annual activities for 18 years (as of 2025). In 2019, he was awarded the City of San Antonio’s Distinction in the Arts for Literary Arts.

A creative writing teacher for almost 50 years - in addition to his 12 years of teaching at The Cyndi Taylor Krier Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center for Gemini Ink’s Partners Program - LaVilla-Havelin teaches senior citizens in the Go Arts Program through Bihl Haus Cultural Arts, and has been Poet in Residence at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy, teaching high school students.

“Across,” “It Might As Well Be…,” and “Where Color Comes From” in this collection first appeared in Texas Poetry Assignment.

More on this collection here.