Wilderness: The Lost Writings, Vol. 1

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"Listen, real poetry doesn't say anything, it just ticks off the possibilities. Opens all the doors. You can walk through any one that suits you." -- Jim Morrison

As the lead singer and song writer for The Doors, Jim Morrison brought the poetry of the damned to rock'n'roll. As a poet, he infused verse with the wild lyricism and mesmerizing beat of rock. By the time of his death in 1971, Morrison had become one of the most haunting voices in the collective unconscious of America, echoed by performers such as Patti Smith.

This book, compiled from the Morrison literary estate by his beloved friends, presents Morrison's unpublished work for the first time--poems that celebrate the juju of sex, the touring musician's labyrinth of highways, airports, and motel corridors, and the shamanistic power of rock'n'roll, as well as photographs, drawings, facsimiles from Morrison's diaries, and a self-interview that reveals him as he has never been revealed before. A genuine literary event, Wilderness is the last testament of a writer of liberating ferocity and tenderness whose tremendous impact on an entire generation is still being felt.

Cover photo by Frank Lisciandro
Cover design by Wendy Bass

Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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July 15,2025
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An amazing collection of mysterious-symbolic-narrative poetry by one of the greatest (and most underappreciated) American poets of the 20th century. Yes, the poet - for Jim was not just a singing idol of pubescent girls. I read his works in an excellent Czech translation and if a person is in the right inner state, they sound in his ears like heavenly music...


Jim's poetry is a world unto itself, filled with hidden meanings and enchanting stories. Each line seems to be carefully crafted to lead the reader on a journey of discovery. The use of symbols adds an extra layer of depth, making the poems open to multiple interpretations. It's as if he is inviting us to explore the recesses of our own minds and find the connections that lie within.


Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone looking for a unique literary experience, Jim's works are sure to captivate you. They have the power to transport you to another realm, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the impossible becomes possible. So, pick up a copy of his collection and let the magic of his words wash over you.

July 15,2025
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- Moment of inner freedom is a precious thing. It is that instance when the mind is flung wide open, and the vast and infinite universe is suddenly revealed before our eyes. In this state, the soul is left in a state of wonder, dazed and confused, searching hither and thither for teachers and friends who can guide and understand.


People have an inherent need for connectors. Ceremonies, theatre, and dances serve as powerful means to reassert our Tribal needs and memories. They are a call to worship, uniting us above all. There is a reversion, a deep longing for the warmth and safety of family, the magic of childhood.


Who really needs temples, couches, and T.V.? These things may seem important in our modern lives, but do they truly fulfill our deepest needs?


I, for one, never knew what it meant to be real. I thought all of this existence was just a joke. I never allowed the horror, or the sweetness and the dignity to penetrate my brain.


Just like our Ancestors, the Indians, we share certain commonalities. We have a fear of sex, an excessive lamentation for the dead, and an abiding interest in dreams and visions. These aspects of our nature connect us to our past and shape who we are today.

July 15,2025
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Jim Morrison was undeniably a highly creative individual. Reportedly, he was constantly engaged in writing. He delved into various forms such as stories, screenplays, and essays. However, poetry held a special place in his heart as his favorite means of self-expression. The unpublished work within this volume often gives the impression of being a sketch, a study, an unfinished snippet, or just an idea. As could be anticipated, a significant portion of it is rather wild and was most likely penned under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Overall, there isn't a great deal that one would desire to preserve. Nevertheless, here and there, there are some lovely images and nice turns of phrase. The final few sections of the book feature longer poems that were far more enjoyable and seemed more coherent.


This slim volume also includes some classic photographs of Morrison and copies of the poems in his own handwriting. It commences with a short essay by Morrison himself, in which he opines that the interview is the perfect art form for today, especially the self-interview. This is both funny and smart, and even a bit inspiring. It should be read by social media influencers across the globe.

July 15,2025
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This book was truly amazing.

It was the very first poetry book by Jim Morrison that I had the pleasure of reading, and it turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable experience.

The book is aptly titled "Wilderness" as Jim frequently used this word in his poems, and a significant number of his works featured themes of the wild.

Most of the poems in the book centered around his opinions on life, death, music, and modern America (from 1968 - 71).

Since this book was released after his death, there are a few unfinished poems within its pages.

Moreover, a lot of the poems are not titled, but many poets have done this, and in some cases, I believe it enhanced the effect of the poem.

I noticed that many different poems were titled "LAmerica", which piqued my interest.

It seems as if he wrote about the same subject multiple times under the same title.

Each poem under this title shared his thoughts on America, and most specifically, Los Angeles.

Each different poem had a unique perspective on this subject, and I found myself becoming increasingly interested every time I saw that title again.

I thought the book was arranged extremely well. Poems with similar or the same subject were sometimes grouped together, yet common themes were spread throughout the book.

This ensured that the book adhered to the same themes and, in my opinion, effectively展示了 Jim Morrison's train of thought.

I also liked the diverse styles of poems in the book. Jim didn't confine himself to one form of writing poetry; he was very versatile in his poem structure.

I found his viewpoints on life and death particularly interesting, especially in the diction he used to describe them.

I considered those to be my favorite poems in the entire book, and I found myself understanding his perspectives on these topics.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone aged 16 and above who has a love for poetry or The Doors. However, I would not recommend it to anyone under sixteen due to the occasional use of strong language and the presence of themes related to sex and drugs.

Overall, I think this is a great book, and I could easily see myself reading it several more times.
July 15,2025
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Though it may be arduous for some readers to fathom the origin of Jim's inspiration in his poems, they were, on the whole, visionary and resplendent in their own unique way.

Some of his poems were纯粹observational, simply depicting what he perceived in society from his personal vantage point.

While others might recoil in horror at the grotesque and sneer at the seemingly pedestrian nature of certain poems, that is precisely his artistic expression in its most unadulterated form.

I am of the opinion that his poems are like the lyrics that just didn't quite make the cut for the rest of The Doors.

Nonetheless, they offer a marvelous read for any aficionado of The Doors or modern poetry.

It is through his words that we catch a glimpse into his complex and creative mind, and it is this aspect that makes his poetry truly captivating.

Whether one loves or loathes his work, there is no denying the impact that Jim's poems have had on the world of literature and music.

They serve as a testament to his artistic genius and continue to inspire generations of poets and musicians to this day.

July 15,2025
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Jim Morrison was a brilliant mind who left behind a great collection of offbeat poetry.

His words were like a wild storm, captivating and mysterious. This collection is a must-read for anyone who is a fan of The Doors or has a penchant for really strange but intriguing poetry.

The poems take you on a journey through Morrison's unique perspective, filled with vivid imagery and raw emotions.

Whether you're looking for something to inspire you or just want to explore the depths of a truly original artist, this collection is definitely worth checking out.

It's a good read that will leave you thinking and feeling long after you've turned the last page.

So, don't hesitate, pick up this collection and let Jim Morrison's poetry transport you to another world.
July 15,2025
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The first posthumous volume of Jim Morrison's poems offers a very interesting look at his imagination and writing ability, which, compared to the written page, only partially appeared in the lyrics of their songs. The quality is not always high, and often the very abstract and fragmented style of his poetry can be disturbing, but here and there, images of great visionary value can be glimpsed. Overall, I would have given 3 stars, but it must be considered that these poems come from an enormous corpus of unpublished material written over a period of five years (1966 - 1971), which were tumultuous for Jim's life, and we are not sure how much of this material would have been published and if it would have been refined, considering that it was all published after his death without any permission or indication in that regard.

The idea of putting the original text and the translation on the same page is strange, but I assume it was an editorial choice given the size of the original volume. The translation is decent, although from time to time it gets lost here and there with some overly imaginative translation choices, some errors in English jargon or in meaning (for example, "protean" translated as "proteico" is unacceptable) or in the desire to often be extremely faithful to the text (for example, repeating all the & and translating the "w/" with c/ or a/).
July 15,2025
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This isn't "great" poetry by poetry's standards.

As a fan of The Doors, I found it fascinating and immersive. However, I had to keep in mind that this is a collection of his writings compiled by friends after he passed.

As someone who journals daily, I can safely say that 99% of it is not worth publishing. I haven't read anywhere that Morrison intended to publish his journals.

The writing in this book could be rejected songs, works in progress, or just a person clearing his mind. It's raw and sometimes confusing, but worth the read.

Perhaps it offers a unique glimpse into the inner workings of Morrison's creative mind. We can see the evolution of his thoughts and ideas, even in their most unpolished form.

While it may not meet the traditional criteria for great poetry, it has its own charm and value. It allows us to connect with Morrison on a deeper level and understand the creative process that led to some of his most iconic works.

In conclusion, this collection of writings is a must-read for any fan of The Doors or anyone interested in the creative process. It may not be perfect, but it is a fascinating and valuable addition to the literary canon.
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