By Jim Bates My daughter hands me the soapy wand and says, "Here, Mom, your turn." I take it from her and dip it in the solution before whipping it through the air. Allie watches mesmerized as the bubbles form and begin to float away. Then she's all motion as she bolts from my side, … Continue reading Soap Bubbles
Signs of Spring
By Jim Bates Heard today a sign of spring, The cooing of a mourning dove, A call of memories to bring, A song of gentle love. This bright and sunny springtime day, Soft warm breezes blowing, Peaceful time spent in the garden patch, Planting seeds and happily hoeing. A sense of patience is in the … Continue reading Signs of Spring
The Dance
By Jim Bates Mom's eyes are dim with memory faded, Words come hard and the spirit is flagging. Then, one day, It is as if a song begins, And through the deep recesses of forgetfulness, There emerges a kind of light, And renewed energy. Conversation begins. Words once forgotten form. She smiles as she remembers … Continue reading The Dance
Desert Wind
By Jim Bates Dave was grateful for the final emotional push as he clamored up and over the edge of Lizard Peak onto the top, a large flat area. "Thanks, man," he said to Lyle, his life companion for the last forty years. He was nearly out of breath."I needed that." Lyle was also his … Continue reading Desert Wind
Zinc
By Jim Bates The head of Parks and Recreation, Fred Nicoletti, extended his hat. “Good luck, kid, he winked. “You’re going to need it.” Nothing like a little intimidation to add to my already jangling nerves. I was standing on the north beach of Lake Harriet, getting ready for my final test. I’d passed the … Continue reading Zinc
Cobalt
By Jim Bates During the first month of lockdown, Courtney, my wife, and I had a family meeting with our three kids. She did the talking. “Okay, the school is setting up for distance learning so that’s what we’ll do. Your father and I have organized our schedules so he will be here on Monday, … Continue reading Cobalt
Strontium
By Jim Bates Sandra Mason was a studious girl who took life seriously, much to the joy of her father, Wallace, a physics teacher at the University of Minnesota. “I’m so proud of Sandy,” he said, coming down the stairs after telling his seven-year-old daughter good night. “She’s just like I used to be at … Continue reading Strontium
Your Life
By Jim Bates You live your entire life. You are born and you grow. You go to school. You learn. You make friends and fall in love for the first time. Your heart is broken. You learn to deal with pain. You walk in the woods and learn to stop and feel what Nature … Continue reading Your Life
Three Haiku
By James Bates Butterfly Delight Purple Coneflower Monarch butterfly alights Double delightful. Sunlight Dancing Morning dew sparkles Tiny droplets glistening Sunlight dances wildly. Thirst Springtime misting rain Tender garden shoots reaching Thirstily drinking. Jim lives in a small town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His stories have appeared online in CafeLit, The … Continue reading Three Haiku
Springtime Countryside
By James Bates Out in the rolling countryside Enjoying the first signs of spring Stopped for a while by a farmer's field And listened to a bluebird sing. His song was oh so cheerful As it echoed through the trees Carried across the fertile land On a gentle, drifting breeze. The world was awakening … Continue reading Springtime Countryside
Academy of the Heart And Mind 