Excerpt – Of Backyard Chickens and Better Days by Jim Bates
Synopsis
Written throughout the course of one year, these poems reflect Jim’s search for his youngest son, who went missing in late 2025. The emotional challenge was something he’d never wish on anyone, but he wanted to try to capture what he was experiencing by writing about it. Poems entitled “Bereavement,” “Mountain Stream,” and “Homecoming” reflect what he was going through. He was able, for part of each day, to focus on something good and positive, and for that time experience some rare moments of relief. Those moments helped heal his fragile heart.
In the middle of the night of May 29, 2026, the police knocked on Jim’s door. The body of his son had been found. Two weeks later, Jim, his oldest son, Yuri, and his brother, Tom, placed his youngest son’s ashes in a Montana stream and said goodbye.
Though the journey to find his son is over, the healing still goes on. There is sadness and uncertainty in these poems, that’s for sure, but there is also hope amid the emotional chaos. Poems entitled “Fireflies,” “One Summer Day,” and “Patio” reflect that hope.
Jim hopes that you enjoy them all.
Amazon
Excerpt
Far Horizon
Granite cliffs
Grey and formidable
High above
Wave pounding shoreline
Great lake water glistening
Diamonds sparkling
Fervent sunshine
Brilliant like dreams coming true
The old man stands
Watching
Remembering his son
Lost but not forgotten
Heart healing
Spirit reviving
Soul rejuvenating
Time marching on
He will never forget
Always hold true and pure
The love in his heart
Growing like a song
Soaring like a mighty eagle
He and his son
Always and forever
Across the Great Lake
Beyond the far horizon
All the way
To eternity.
About the Author
Jim is an award-winning author who lives in a small town in Minnesota. He loves to write! His stories and poems have appeared in over five hundred online and print publications. He has also authored 27 books, including poetry, flash fiction, and short story collections, novellas, and novels, all of which are available through traditional outlets and on his website.
Website
