Lola Haskins teaches Computer Science at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Currently she offers two classes, CGS3403 and COP2121. She has published six books of poetry, as well as an introductory prose poem to a coffee table book of photographs called Visions of Florida. Her most recent collections are Extranjera(Story Line, 1998), and The Rim-Benders (Anhinga, 2001). Ms. Haskins has recently finished a book of advice for people interested in poetry-- The Wing on the Mailbox, A Beginner's Guide to the Poetic Life , and is currently working on a new collection of poems, a book of environmental essays and a children's story. In 2001, Ms. Haskins played the speaking Mata Hari in a ballet of that title for which she wrote the libretto. The dance was choreographed by Kim Tuttle of Dance Alive! with sets by Margaret Tolbert, and theme music by Stella Sung. Mata Hari was toured to Americus, Georgia in March of 2002. Besides writing poetry, Ms. Haskins enjoys performing it, which she has done in academic institutions of all levels, as well as at community centers, on BBC, and on NPR. Some of Ms. Haskins' other book titles include: Planting the Children, (University Press of Florida, 1983) Castings (Countryman Press, 1984; second edition Betony Press, 1992), Across Her Broad Lap Something Wonderful (State Street Press, 1990), Forty-Four Ambitions for the Piano (University Press of Florida, 1990; second edition Betony Press, 1992), and Hunger (University of Iowa Press, 1993), winner of the Iowa Poetry Prize.