Maurizio Cucchi

was born in 1945 in Milan, where he continues to live.  In addition to his poetry, he has published a novel and a book of essays.  His most recent collection, Vite pulviscolari (Dusty Lives, 2009), was awarded the Premio Mario Luzi, one of Italy’s most prestigious literary prizes.  Two translations of his poetry, a volume of selected poems (Chelsea Editions) and a dramatic monologue titled Jeanne d’Arc and Her Double (Gradiva Publications), will be published in 2011.