Beginning where he left off in crawlspace with the little start Im given, giving, that May be, John Passs new poems articulate further entanglements with stasis, purpose and hope. He struggles as we all do under the weight of a world imperilled by climate change and environmental degradation. And the poems, characteristically alive with attuned observation and emotional honesty, glimpse unsettling limitations to our consciousness and conscience. This is particularly so regarding animals in the books central sequence, Creation of the Animals. Historically and geographically expansive, This Was the River is nonetheless approachably human. Margined Burying Beetle (winner of the Malahat Reviews Open Season Award in 2016) is an astonishing homage to the poets mother, one of several pieces touching upon grief and loss. There are joyous poems, too, for the births of his grandchildren, and slyly humorous asides on medical test results and poetry prizes. Passs affection and sorrow for the natural world is at the books heart, and as a whole This Was the River confirms his reputation as a poet of lyrical eloquence, masterful technique and both intellectual and emotional range.