Thomas Centolella is the author of four books of poetry: "Terra Firma," selected by Denise Levertov for the National Poetry Series and winner of the American Book Award; "Lights & Mysteries," winner of the California Book Award from the Commonwealth Club; "Views from along the Middle Way"; and "Almost Human," winner of the Dorset Prize from Tupelo Press, selected by Edward Hirsch. He has received a Lannan Literary Award and is a former Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. He has taught creative writing in the Bay Area for many years.