Rose McLarney Knihy

Winner of Weatherford Award for Best Poetry Book about AppalachiaA poet acclaimed for "uncompromising, honest poems that sound like no one else" ( The Rumpus ) now offers considerations of the natural world and humans' place within it in ecopoetry of both ambitious reach and elegant refinementRose McLarney has won attention as a poet of impressive insight, craft, and a "constantly questioning and enlarging vision" (Andrew Hudgins). In her third collection, Forage , she continues to weave together themes she home, heritage, the South, animals, water, the environment. These intricately sequenced poems take up everything from animals' symbolic roles in art and as indicators of ecological change to how water can represent a large, troubled system or the exceptions of smaller, purer tributaries. At the confluence of these poems is a social commentary that goes beyond lamenting environmental degradation and disaster to record--and augment--the beauty of the world in which we live.

Awarded by Robert Wrigley in the National Poetry Series, this collection showcases a distinctive voice and perspective. The poems delve into themes of nature, identity, and the human experience, blending vivid imagery with emotional depth. Through a variety of forms and styles, the author invites readers to explore complex emotions and the beauty of the world around us, making each piece resonate with both personal and universal significance.

Exploring themes of aging, absence, and the silenced voices of women, this collection reflects on personal memories and cultural history. The poems elegize the author's girlhood and her mother's influence while addressing omissions in Appalachian narratives. Additionally, McLarney presents a unique series of poems that serve as caretaking instructions, extending her reflections to encompass the care of homes, animals, and the earth, ultimately weaving a tapestry of connection and responsibility.

Exploring the paradox of beauty in suffering, this book delves into the complexities of human experience, highlighting how pain and resilience intertwine. It offers a profound reflection on the transformative power of hardship, suggesting that vulnerability can lead to a deeper understanding of beauty. Through evocative prose, the author invites readers to confront their own struggles and recognize the inherent grace that can emerge from adversity.