InClaudebeforeTimeandSpace,herfinalcollection,PulitzerPrize-winningpoetClaudiaEmersonquietlybutfiercelyexploresthethemesofmortalityandtime.Inthefirstsectionofthisbook,“TheWheel,“Emersonusesaruralsouthernsettinginpoemsthatreflectonmemory,theself,andrelationships.Insectiontwo,“BirdEphemera,“sheexploreshistoricalfigures--fromanearlynaturalistandwriterwhoraisedherchildreninpovertytoasmall-towndoctor.Thecollectionconcludeswithaseriesofpoemsnamedafterthepoet’sfather.Thisilluminatingbodyofworkdisplaysamasterpoetattheheightofhercraft.
