Carmela LanzaCarmela Delia Lanza grew up on Long Island, NY, in a working-class, Italian immigrant family. Her mother tongue was Napoletana. Eventually she learned English, and she spent a lot of time sitting in classrooms, not speaking. At home she tried to talk but there were too many people around, doing most of the talking, so she spent a lot of time sitting on radiators and listening. She also spent a lot of time reading and writing. After years and years of living near the Atlantic Ocean, she moved to New Mexico and struggled to make a place for herself in the world. The spirits followed her, and she is grateful for that. Somewhere between the spine of the volcano and the ocean's womb, she finds her way in poetry. Her writing has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including Ovunque Siamo, Comparative Woman, BorderSenses, Chantwood Magazine, and Voices in Italian Americana. Her first chapbook of poetry, Long Island Girl, was published by Malafemmina Press. Finishing Line Press published her second chapbook of poetry, So Rough A Messenger. She is currently an associate professor of English at the University of New Mexico-Gallup branch, in Gallup, New Mexico. Read More Read Less