Clifford, Robert E.

Gasping for Air

n/p: Robert Clifford, 2015. First Edition. Softcover. Signed by Robert E. Clifford. “Lonely as the night you first / Slept without being rocked- / Lonely as the dreams you have imagined / In the center of hollowness trapped / no where to go but in further / circling in, winding out” (from “Hollow Dreams,” page 38). Boston-born Robert E. Clifford is a locally-grown writer with several publications from Ann Arbor-based publishers in the 1970s and 1980s. Clifford graduated from the Residential College at the University of Michigan here in Ann Arbor which awarded him the Avery Hopwood Award for poetry in 1977, two years before graduating, landing him the position of Poet in Residence for the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor and being named one of “80 Outstanding People to Watch for in the 80s” by the Monthly Detroit Magazine just a year after graduating. “Gasping for Air,” Clifford’s fourth published collection of poetry, illustrates reality in its harshest light and still leaves the reader full of hope. He uses type style and format to enhance the reader’s perception of the rhythm and emphasis he intended. With a large gap since his last publication (though little information is available on most of them), it is inspiring to see he has continued writing poetry since he embarked on a career path away from creative writing in the Athletic Departments of various universities, currently at Oregon State University. [978-1-63192-740-9]. Trade-format Softcover original; First Edition, First Printing, though neither is indicated on the copyright page. Author’s signature on copyright reads, “Robert Clifford” in black pen ink. In Fine condition with minor rubbing and “phantom scuffs” only visible in certain light on front and back covers; pages crisp and unmarked. Fine. [Item #5453]

Price: $25.00