By Jim Bates Sumac leaves changingShades of orange and burgundyColors of pure joy.Gunmetal grey skyBlazing red maples stand proudFall’s splendorous show.Autumn wind blowingGolden leaves racing madlyTrees becoming bare.Along the lakeshoreTrees fiery orange and redAutumnal delight.Man with cameraBlue aster and honeybeeCaptured for all time. Jim lives in a small-town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His … Continue reading Five Fall Colors Haiku
Five Summer Haiku
By Jim Bates Northern Lights glowingSoft waves shimmering like dreamsWaiting to come true.Morning rain fallingSoggy wet flower headsBend in silent thanks.Early morning lightFlowers nodding in the dawnSerene peaceful calm.Aunt and Uncle's cabinOn a lake overflowingWith good memories.Thankful for flowersTheir color so enrichingTheir beauty such joy. Jim lives in a small-town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, … Continue reading Five Summer Haiku
Four Spring Haiku
By Jim Bates Purple ConeflowerMonarch butterfly alightsDouble delightful.After somber rainPretty morning glories bloomUnexpected gift.Belief they will growCarrot seeds planted with careFaith in Nature's hands.Woodland stream flowingWhispering sweet trickling songsNature's lullaby. Jim lives in a small-town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His stories and poems have appeared in over three hundred publications. “Resilience” a collection … Continue reading Four Spring Haiku
Four Winter Haiku
By Jim Bates After the snowstormWinter's soft gentle beautySnow on evergreens.At the skating rinkHappy folks spin and swirlA winter ballet.Big cold moon risingMoonlight streaming brilliantlyIcy land sparkling.Bright morning sunBirds flit through snow covered treesSinging merrily. Jim lives in a small town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His stories have appeared online in CafeLit, The Writers' Cafe … Continue reading Four Winter Haiku
Burnt Sienna
By Jim Bates Fall was her favorite season. Smiling and happy she walked woodland trails collecting leaves and weeds and grasses. She enjoyed the feel of nature in her hands she liked to say, especially the colorful leaves. Sometimes she’d take him along, holding his tiny hand gently like she held her collections. He’d follow … Continue reading Burnt Sienna
Botanizing
By Jim Bates They were two brothers exploring hills and fields, breathing the rarefied air and escaping for a time the noise and grime of the city, looking for something deeper, more meaningful. They’d walk through deep woods, cool and green in the first light of early morning dawn. They’d tromp across warm meadows fragrant … Continue reading Botanizing
Slingshot
By Jim Bates He was quiet that fall. Withdrawn. He’d started classes in a new grade at a new school. Old friends were drifting away. He couldn’t help it, but he felt sad much of the time. He didn’t know why. He took to walking in the nearby woods after school. He found, surprisingly, that … Continue reading Slingshot
Arrowroot Cookie
By Jim Bates Deep in the Northwoods lake country, the water glistened jewel-like under the bright sun. Waves were lapping on the shoreline bringing with them a gentle cadence to the day. The sand on the beach was scorching hot but seven-year-old Jack didn’t mind. He sat on the shore half in and half out … Continue reading Arrowroot Cookie
Clothes Pole
By Jim Bates Set firmly in the ground It had its own spot in the backyard A heavy-duty metal post with wooden arms attached Held together with clothesline rope A lever controlled it going up and down A thing of mechanical beauty Simple utility and grace His mother hung sheets from it every week White … Continue reading Clothes Pole
Helium
By Jim Bates I’ll never forget my first helium balloon. I got two of them for my second birthday. Two red ones, my favorite color. My grandpa gave them to me. “Here you go, Lonny,” he said, smiling. “Enjoy.” I did. My grandpa loved helium-filled balloons. Not those mylar ones with sayings on them like … Continue reading Helium
Academy of the Heart And Mind 