Though he is best remembered as one of Missouri’s leading authors in the 20th century, one who helped launch the Missouri Review, the Associated Writing Programs, and who pioneered the teaching of creative writing at the University of Missouri-Columbia, McAfee’s poetry powerfully evokes the Deep South of his Alabama birth and upbringing. An editorial team of McAfee’s past students have carefully chosen his best poems, including many appearing for the first time in book form. Whether he recalls the plight of Winston County in Alabama, which seceded from the state to remain in the Union at the start of the Civil War, imagines dialogues with the Latin writer Catallus, or captures lyrical moments of love, hope, and despair, McAfee remains as timely and timeless as ever.
