The poems in Desire Lines, both new and selected, give shapeto the desires we must nourish if we are to retain our compassion. The poemscollaborate as a series of variations on the theme of desire, much like the waya motif weaves through a piece of music or a thread through a tapestry. Haskinspresents autobiographical poems and poems that give voice to other women, bothhistorical and imagined. Lola Haskins has published six full-length poetrycollections. A musician and dancer, Haskins shared the title role in Mata Hari,a full-length ballet, whose libretto she wrote for Dance Alive, a touring dancecompany. She has read her poetry on National Public Radio and BBC radio.