By: Jim Bates

Orange sugar maples
Blazing against cold grey skies
Lifts a mood to joy.

Late fall woodland walk
Soft and leafy decay
Sense of inner peace.

Outside in the snow
Soft flakes landing on my face
Feeling young at heart.

Fresh snow transforming
Brown ground to a wonderland
So cheerful and bright.

Burnished orange sumac
Fiery in day’s last light
Warming to the soul.