Michael Milligan has worked as a construction laborer, migrant fruit and grape picker, homestead farmer, graphic arts production manager and a sighted guide for the visually impaired. He is a musician/composer, artist and writer. Recently someone called him “one of those creatives.” He is not sure if the term was meant to be pejorative or not. He loves Paris, Plum Island in Newburyport, his wife poet Eve Rifkah and their cat Bela. He is a survivor of childhood family physical and sexual abuse, and as a result psychological and spiritual journey has been informed by his struggle to come to terms with a lifelong PTSD and as importantly, by the struggles of others. His first book of poetry, “Unless I Came Back to Tell You” (Kelsay Books, 2021) tells an unfortunately all too common story of a struggle for survival. He hopes his telling helps others along their path. Michael received his BA in Anthropology from the University Without Walls at UMASS Amherst, took his MFA at Bennington College, co-founded Poetry Oasis Worcester and was privileged to be an editor with Diner. His poetry book reviews, fiction and poems have appeared in Agni, Diner, The New Orleans Review, The Valparaiso Review, Chaffin Journal, Blue Earth, Illuminations, Visitant and others. He has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.