Black Mountain poet explores Appalachian contrasts in debut chapbook

Clint Bowman reflects on juxtaposition of Natural beauty and gritty reality in ‘Pretty Shit’

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 18, 2023

Clint Bowman reads from his debut chapbook, “Pretty Shit,” at a June release party in downtown Black Mountain. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Madden

When Clint Bowman moved to Black Mountain from his native High Point four years ago, he realized his new hometown would likely alter his perspective as a writer, but had little understanding of how daily life in the heart of Appalachia might shape his poetry.

“I had a very romanticized vision when I came here, with this idea that everything was pretty,” he said. “There’s obviously a lot of natural beauty around us, but one thing I learned quickly from walking and biking around town everyday is that everyone here isn’t affluent and retired; there are a lot of people living on a lower income.”

It’s a juxtaposition he explores in vivid detail on the pages of his debut chapbook, “Pretty Shit,” a summer release from Bottlecap Press that highlights a grittier side of his scenic mountain home.

Bowman discovered poetry as a junior in high school and was captivated by its endless possibilities and potential as a powerful medium.

“It always seemed like the most accessible form of artistic expression,” said the writer, who in 2019 followed his professional career path to his current position as recreation coordinator for the Town of Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department. A founding member of the Pullman Poets Society in his native town, he brought his literary passion to the Swannanoa Valley, partnering with Black Mountain Public Library Branch Manager Melisa Pressley to establish the Dark City Poets Society in 2020.

Like many recent arrivals to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bowman’s eyes were immediately drawn to towering peaks, morning mists and clear creeks all around him, but his daily observations in the picturesque valley deviated significantly from his preconceived notions.

“One thing I hadn’t really counted on when I first moved here is how much of an impact (I-40) would have on my writing, and my perspective of the mountains,” he said. “I moved here from a rural community in the Piedmont, and it was very quiet there. But, here in Black Mountain you hear the highway everywhere.”

The busy corridor represents one of a few familiar settings Bowman encountered as he studied his scenic WNC surroundings, which inspired the 14 pieces in his first published collection of poetry.

“I had been putting together a full-length manuscript, but I recognized there were some poems that centered around Black Mountain and local areas,” he said. “They all had this similar grit to them, and having that theme sparked the idea for a chapbook.”

Available at Sassafras, Downtown Books & News in Asheville and online at bottlecap.press, the book’s title is a nod to the often contrasting realities of mountain life, according to Bowman.

Black Mountain poet Cint Bowman explores the juxtaposition of scenic beauty and gritty circumstances in his debut release, which is available online and in local book stores. Photo by Fred McCormick

“It really ties in the juxtaposition of living in this beautiful place, but at the same time being surrounded by some pretty shitty circumstances,” he said.

The contradictions, however, represents one of several themes that emerge from Bowman’s hyper-realistic writing style.

“Everyone has their own experience, in regard to how they live and enjoy the mountains,” he said. “In the religious sense, everyone also has their own type of faith and beliefs. The central theme is that there is no right or wrong way to go about figuring out how to live your life.”

The final product, Bowman added, offers a relatable compendium of poetry examining daily life in the Swannanoa Valley.

“I think a lot of these poems will resonate with people, because everyone has experienced situations where things aren’t always as great or pretty as they seem,” he said. “But, it’s important not to let those things dominate your thought process, because there’s still so many great things out there in the world.”