L.E. Ward was born July 5, 1944, as Leon Edgar Ward. "Pennies from Heaven" is his seventh published book of poems, and ninth collection of poetry, containing over 100 poems, written since 2003. His books reflect his lifetime interests: Immersion in the past, both personal and cultural; a criticism of war, intolerance, and materialism; a love of the arts, eros, and human times and relationships, including family, friends, and lovers. "Pennies from Heaven," like its predecessors, looks askance at violence, greed, and fanaticism, yet also concerns itself with beauty, art, and humanism. Ward, a former university teacher of literature, has also had a prolific prose writing career as an essayist and contributing editor to national film periodical, among others. His writing has received many honors, awards, and award nominations. His books are dedicated to the memory of his beloved parents, Leon Earl Ward (1898-1970) and Lillian Estelle Mager Ward (1908-1999).