In the village just after dawn, we can visit the old man who carves names on memorial stones. He’ll serve us tea and toast; he likes to talk to those who come by. He’ll call us his children. but don’t tell him your name. His chisels are always within reach.

Laurence Carr lives in New York’s Hudson Valley. His book of poems and short essays is Strides: reflections on 6 acres, with images by artist Edward M. O’Hara. Others include: Paradise Loft, (CAPS Press and Lightwoodpress); Traverse, a collaboration with artist Power Boothe. Pancake Hollow Primer, won the Next Generation Indie Book Award for first novel. This and two poetry collections, Threnodies: poems in remembrance and The Wytheport Tales are published by Codhill Press. Laurence is currently the publisher of Lightwood, an online arts and culture magazine. www.carrwriter.com and Lightwoodpress.com