About the Book New England mountain recluses poems reminiscent of those of the great Chinese and Taoist poet-sages. Book Synopsis New England mountain recluses poems reminiscent of those of the great Chinese and Taoist poet-sages. About the Author For the past thirty-five years, David Budbill has lived on a remote mountain in northern Vermont. His awards include fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the Vermont Arts Council. A former commentator on NPRs All Things Considered, his poetry is featured frequently on Garrison Keillors The Writers Almanac.