What the River Was

What the River Was invites readers to journey through the flowing currents of memory, loss, and resilience. Drawing inspiration from the natural world and rural landscapes, Andrew McIver’s poetry explores themes of interconnectedness, environmental reverence, and the intimate beauty found in ordinary moments.

From muskrats and barred owls to the hum of cicadas in the southern summer haze, McIver captures the pulse of life teetering between the wild and the human-made. These poems navigate questions of identity, belonging, and the delicate balance between destruction and renewal, all while celebrating the quiet strength of the river—a constant companion and witness to life's transformations.

For readers of Mary Oliver and Frank Stanford, this collection offers a lyrical meditation on the forces that shape us and the natural world. Perfect for lovers of contemporary poetry and environmental literature, What the River Was is a poetic bridge connecting the personal with the universal, reminding us that every small moment carries the weight of the world.

Andrew Mack (formerly McIver) is the Founder and Managing Editor of Loblolly Press. His commitment to fostering emerging writers particularly those from marginalized or underrepresented communities drives Loblolly Press's mission to showcase contemporary poetry, short fiction, and novels with a distinctly Southern voice. Andrew has published two collections of his own poetry, Weekend Revival and What the River Was. He lives in Asheville, NC with his partner.