THE TIME BETWEEN RIVERS encompasses half a century of writing, teaching, and finding sanctuary in rivers. Bill McGlothing has a keen eye for the striking detail, whether that be a snake's slithered trail etched in sand or the bowl of a smoker's pipe in Jerusalem "stained with fading paint / of rich forest birds / and smears of nicotine." We visit literal rivers in this collection of poetry and essays, but McGlothing also floats us down time's river, from his first, eye-opening teaching gig to his last class, from childhood memories to wry takes on aging. The stops along the way-"the time between"- offer rich, eclectic portraits of the natural world, relationships, and classroom experiences. McGlothing's writing, at times witty and often poignant, is packed with intricate language and powerful imagery.