Nightly after supper this boy naps on my lap for an hour, his flopsy body weighty and warm as a new robe; both of us heavy-headed, our bellies full as prayer lists, breathing in turn like pewmates in an evensong choir; his breath, my breath, sustaining the tone, helping a peaceable night come on. From Our Bodies Remember (Sows Ear Press, 1999).  Used with the author's permission.

Dana Wildsmith's newest collection of poems, With Access to Tools, was released by Madville Publishing this month. She is also the author of five other collections of poetry and a memoir, and was a Georgia Author of the Year finalist. Born and raised in rural South Georgia, Dana traveled extensively as a Navy wife before settling in Bethlehem, Georgia, on a century-old family farm outside Atlanta. Her love of family, nature, music, tradition, and life's simple joys is the focal point of her poignant, compelling work, which has been featured in numerous journals, magazines, and anthologies, including the highly acclaimed Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia. Dana is a gifted teacher as well, sharing her passion for language from ESL classes at Lanier Technical College to residencies acoss the country.  Learn more about her at www.danawildsmith.com.