Growing up
He read about it
Dream of having it
But never really did
A mediocre student
He did his best
He graduated in the middle of his class
He went on to college
He did okay
Held a long term job for many years
Marriage and family
Love and loss
All the way to the end
Now he walks wooded trails
He watches birds and listens to their song
He texts his kids
He kisses his lover
His life is winding down
Wisdom?
He’s not sure
Happy?
Yes
He considers himself lucky
Maybe that’s what’s important
The sun will set tomorrow
He’ll be there for it
For sure.

Jim Bates lives in a small town in Minnesota. He loves to write and if fortunate to have 32 books of poetry, short story collections, novellas and novels to his name.