Thomas Lynch

Thomas Lynch, a funeral director in Milford, Michigan, is the author of three collections of poetry: "Skating With Heather and Grace," "Grimalkin & Other Poems," and

His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Paris Review, Harper's, Esquire, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Irish Times, and The Times of London, and his commentaries have aired on BBC Radio, RTE in Ireland, and National Public Radio. His collection of essays,

won the Heartland Prize for nonfiction and the American Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award. A second essay collection,

was published in June, 2000.