Michael Lally has published twenty-seven books of poetry and prose; written and directed several plays; written several screenplays; acted in many movies, including Basic Instinct, The Human Condition, and most recently, Last Grave, due out in 2005; appeared in numerous stage plays, including Short Eyes and Balm in Gilead; and appeared in many television programs, including Deadwood, Law & Order, JAG, NYPD Blue, Father Dowling Mysteries, L.A. Law, and Cagney & Lacey. A graduate of the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. He has won the American Book Award (2000), the PEN Josephine Miles Award for Excellence in Literature (1997), The Pacificus Foundation Literary Award (1996), the National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship (1974 and 1981), The Poets Foundation Award (1974), and The New York 92nd St. Y’s Poetry Center Discovery Award (1972). His poem in The Innisfree Poetry Journal is from a forthcoming collection.