Author Giftus John's goal for his home island of Dominica is to reach to the top of the mountain-a milestone of greatness-despite all the difficulties it faces. Although Dominicans may leave their home in pursuit of other dreams, he believes that someday they will return to a better land.

Building on this idea, "Verses from atop the Mountain" expresses John's passion and concern for events in his homeland and his hopes that its negative situations will soon be remedied. This anthology of poems focuses on an array of topics: politics, nature, culture, love of country, abuse, life and...