by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Inside the courtroom he is an advocate for his clients. Outside the courtroom he is a creative advocate for the Everglades.
Jacksonville attorney James T. Miller has been practicing law in Florida for more than 20 years, but his affection for the Everglades National Park stretches back to his childhood.
“I grew up around the Everglades and we still have a house down there,” said Miller. “Bird-watching, canoeing ... just like being there. It’s my sanctuary. It’s not paved over or built up.”
His passion for the South Florida landscape inspired him to describe it through poetry. Miller has been writing about the Everglades for about seven years.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Miller. “It’s good to do something artistic and creative outside of the law.”
His latest works have been transformed into music and will be featured at a benefit concert.
“Pahayokee: A Plea for Life/A Song Cycle of the Everglades” will be performed March 3 at the Friday Musicale in Jacksonville.
Miller’s friend Jack Tamul is credited with creating the “Everglades Opera.” Tamul is a Jacksonville musician who devotes his time to creating music with environmental themes.
“I was going to submit my poetry for publication, but then Jack saw what I had written and wrote some music for it,” said Miller.
The 40-minute performance is an ode to the beauty of the Everglades and a plea for its life. Electronic music, live piano and the baritone of John Boehr combine to tell the story of the natural treasure.
All involved in the performance are from different backgrounds, but they are connected through the idea that “only what is loved and cherished will be saved, and that art is the best means to reach peoples’ hearts and minds about environmental issues.”
Performances have benefitted environmental groups and the March 3 show will benefit Equinox Documentaries Inc., a nonprofit, environmental documentary filmmaker based in Florida.
Florida author Bill Belleville and filmmaker Bob Giguere serve on the board of directors, along with David Strickland of Jacksonville and Teri Sopp of Fernandina Beach.
Equinox produced the PBS documentary “In Marjorie’s Wake” and the award-winning “Celebrating a Forgotten Place: Carr Family Cabin in the Florida Scrub.”
This will be the first performance of the “Everglades Opera” in Jacksonville and Miller is excited about the show.
“I look forward to it playing in Jacksonville. It’s fun to present anywhere we can,” said Miller. “I’m most excited about helping Equinox out and raising awareness about what they do.”
Poetry isn’t the only form of writing Miller has used to advocate for nature. The Florida Naturalist Magazine published his article “The Aesthetics of the Everglades” and Snowy Egret published his article “Disney and the Duskies,” which was about the extinction of the dusky seaside sparrow.
While his form and style might vary, his message remains the same.
“I’m just trying to save something that I really like,” said Miller.
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