Driving the Body Back

Mary Swander (born 1950) is an American author of Irish heritage who holds dual U.S./Irish citizenship, best known for her poetry and memoirs chronicling rural life, health struggles, and Amish communities. A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, she taught creative writing at Iowa State University for 30 years, served as Iowa Poet Laureate (2009-2019), and received awards including the Whiting Award and NEA grant. She continues to write, perform plays, and direct arts organizations focused on rural and food systems.