Who: Tom Pickard lives on the edge of Fiend's Fell in the North Pennine Hills on the English-Scottish border and is the author of numerous books of poetry, including "High on the Walls," "Hero Dust," "The Dark Months of May" and "The Ballad of Jamie Allan." He has also directed a number of documentary films for British television, including "Jarrow March" and "We Make Ships." In 2004, Pickard was commissioned to write a libretto, "The Ballad of Jamie Allan," for the composer John Harle.

When: Wednesday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga

Contact: MFA Program (925) 631-4457