sonoffred

From Rebel Poetry founder Gene Barry: "There is a place we can all go to, emotionally that is, when in the company of very few people. That place is peacefulness, and when one sits with the author of this fine collection of poems, they are transported there. Michael H. Clay is all of the attributes his colleague and close friend Johnny Olson mentions in the foreword to this book-and many more.

"To describe a book of poems as copacetic would in most instances be a compliment. However, in the case of sonoffred, it would be to dilute its strength and undermine it. One can dive into this beautifully crafted selection of poems, swim with familiarity, and yet learn new strokes. M. H. Clay introduces the reader to his sons, parents, lover, friends, and the anonymous, all carefully packed between so many lines of his poems. We travel with him to different continents and through his keen observations, we sing and dance; scream and cry; ponder and procrastinate.

"There are the unexpected in Clay's poems that, on completion of so many, the reader is immediately delivered back to the opening line. This second treat can in some instances repeat this pleasure.

"His word power, sharp observations, and command of his language delivers a pleasure that capitalizes on itself. sonoffred is a gift that deserves to be homed on the shelf of every serious poet and reader of poetry."