The Alaska Literary Series
"The pace of John Morgan’s book-length poem flows with the untamed rhythm of a wild river. . . . Morgan has, I believe, grasped nature with his senses and pumped it through his heart."
—The Raven Chronicles
"River of Light takes readers down the Copper River in the company of masters. . . . [Woodward’s] artwork is a riot of subtlety. Only someone in full command of his or her powers could fashion this. The paintings and drawings are well-suited to Morgan’s writing, which also exudes subtlety. Employing understatement and a minimum of words, he does the work of a truly skilled poet, leaving most of the page empty so the reader can fill it in. It’s easy to see why he and Woodward have collaborated. Their approaches are greatly complementary, and one hopes this will be the first of more joint ventures."
—Alaska Dispatch
Surrender to a wild river and unexpected things can happen. Time on the water can produce moments of pristine clarity or hatch wild thoughts, foster a deep connection with the real world or summon the spiritual. River of Light: A Conversation with Kabir is centered in one man’s meditations and revelations while traveling on the Copper River in southcentral Alaska. The river’s shifting landscape enriches the poem’s meditative mood while currents shape the poem and the pacing of its lines. The mystic poet Kabir is Morgan’s internal guide, and he serves as a divine foil through quiet stretches that bring to mind questions about war and human nature. Artwork by distinguished Alaska artist Kesler Woodward is a sublime companion to the text.
A combination of adventurer’s tale and spiritual quest, River of Light takes the reader on a soulful journey that is both deeply personal and profoundly universal.