Poetry. Asian & Asian American Studies. Women's Studies. Interwoven throughout the pages of DRIVING INTO BLACK MOUNTAINS, you will find Sarah Joy Thompson's poignant songs, stories, and meditations, as her poetry journeys through various landscapes of the heart and the physical world. Travel across the lush landscapes of her youth in the Philippines to remote national parks in the United States, where the author's voice soars to discover the strength and the comfort needed for everyday life. DRIVING INTO BLACK MOUNTAINS asks both simple and profound questions about our direct connection to all that exists around us and the footprints we leave behind. In the words of author Mobi Warren, This is a collection that does not hesitate to look at difficult truths, but is so imbued with the transcendent power of love-for spouse, for family, for the natural world. Thompson's disarmingly honest perspectives direct our thoughts towards the homelike atmospheres, created by nature's outdoor spaces and secluded landscapes. This heartfelt poetry collection provides a much-needed breath of fresh air and a salve for the soul. Author Jim LaVilla-Havelin provides early praise for the collection: Relax into this loving book of our connection to earth, this compendium of prayers and hopes and touches and journeys.