A writer inspired by nature and human nature

“Autumnal Archway” (HAIKU) by Bette A. Stevens

Aside

Autumnal Archway

Haiku by Bette A. Stevens

Summer gate closes
As autumn’s brilliant archway
Beckons—nature’s call

© Bette A. Stevens, Maine author

About the author

Maine author Bette A. Stevens pictured with a male Monarch butterfly drying its wings after emerging from its chrysalis.

Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies—an endangered species (and for milkweed, the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).

Stevens is the author of AMAZING MATILDA, an award-winning picture book about a monarch butterfly; The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!, a home/school resource  incorporating hands-on math and writing; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to her début novel, DOG BONE SOUP—a coming-of-age story and family drama set in 1950s and 60s New England.

Stevens is currently working on her first poetry book—MY MAINE, a seasonal haiku collection—which she plans to publish fall (2018).

 

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

 

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Written

on 09/27/2018

Comments on: "“Autumnal Archway” (HAIKU) by Bette A. Stevens" (51)

  1. Natalie Ducey said:
    10/12/2018 at 12:12 pm

    So beautiful, Bette! Lovely, as always. XO

    Like

  2. macjam47 said:
    10/03/2018 at 7:41 am

    Your beautiful haiku is a lovely way to welcome autumn. xoxo

    Like

  3. mattiesmysteries said:
    10/02/2018 at 4:48 pm

    You paint such nice pictures with your haiku, Bette! Always enjoy “feeling” the words.

    Like

  4. Sarah said:
    10/02/2018 at 1:22 pm

    Beautiful haiku, Bette! xoxo 😄

    Like

  5. Baydreamer said:
    10/01/2018 at 11:58 pm

    A lovely haiku to welcome the season of Autumn, Bette, and I love the photo of you, too. How lucky to live on 35 acres in the midst of nature’s beauty. ❤

    Like

  6. Vashti Q said:
    10/01/2018 at 2:21 pm

    Hi Bette! Gorgeous Haiku! You’re quite the poet. 😘

    Like

  7. Norah said:
    10/01/2018 at 6:44 am

    This is beautiful, Bette.

    Like

  8. Janice Spina said:
    09/29/2018 at 10:25 pm

    Thank you, Bette, for sharing the lovely Haiku. The photo of you and the Monarch is beautiful! I’m ready for autumn and the cooler temperatures, long walks, changing colors of the trees. Hugs 😘

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      09/30/2018 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit, Janice. ❤ So grateful for a wonderful summer spent with my amazing monarch friends. The autumn vistas are glowing more brightly with each passing day… Our Grand Master never ceases to amaze us! Blessings and love to you and yours, dear friend. xo

      Like

  9. D. Wallace Peach said:
    09/29/2018 at 5:43 pm

    Lovely haiku, Bette. Funny how we were both musing over the garden gate. Happy Autumn. 🙂

    Like

  10. AuthorJoePerroneJr said:
    09/29/2018 at 9:51 am

    I LOVE your haikus (is that a word?). 🙂

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      09/29/2018 at 2:02 pm

      Haiku–singular and plural. 🙂 Thanks so much for your lovely note, Joe. Hope that you and Becky are enjoying an awesome autumn weekend. Sunny, 50s and glorious color emerging here in central Maine. Enjoying the magic!

      Like

  12. Annette Rochelle Aben said:
    09/28/2018 at 11:33 am

    A most fitting tribute to this gorgeous season! ❤

    Like

  13. -Eugenia said:
    09/28/2018 at 9:10 am

    Reblogged this on BrewNSpew.

    Like

  14. -Eugenia said:
    09/28/2018 at 9:09 am

    Beautiful autumnal haiku, Bette. Sharing xoxo

    Like

  15. Tea With Jennifer said:
    09/28/2018 at 2:09 am

    Lovely haiku Bette, especially like the arch & gate analogy.
    ♥ Jennifer

    Like

  16. Roland's Ragbag said:
    09/28/2018 at 12:21 am

    Time appropriate and cleverly expressed.

    Like

  17. balroop2013 said:
    09/27/2018 at 9:56 pm

    Love Autumnal Archway…brilliant and beautiful hues of Mother Nature. Thank you for those lovely words Bette. Stay blessed!

    Like

  18. Gayl said:
    09/27/2018 at 7:40 pm

    Bette, I love how you’ve captured the transition from summer to autumn in so few words! It paints a beautiful picture. It makes me want to get outside! Blessings to you! xo

    Like

  19. Tracy Campbell said:
    09/27/2018 at 5:54 pm

    Hi Bette,
    Another fabulous Haiku.
    I’m glad you posted your bio and news of your next book.
    It’s important to remind your fans of what’s coming next.
    I shared.
    Enjoy your weekend.

    Like

  20. Jill Weatherholt said:
    09/27/2018 at 4:33 pm

    Beautiful haiku, Bette…it makes me even more ready for autumn. Unfortunately, we’re still hot and oh so humid! 🙂

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      09/27/2018 at 9:02 pm

      Thanks so much, Jill. ❤ Hope that autumn catches up to you soon… We had an unusually hot and humid summer for Maine. My sister flew in from Texas to visit in August and she thought the weather was lovely, but we had our air conditioners on for days (unusual for us) and now we're cozying up to the warmth of the wood stove. Crazy! ❤ Blessings an love to you and yours, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Carol A. Hand said:
    09/27/2018 at 3:34 pm

    A lovely, welcoming beginning to autumn, Bette. 🙂

    Like

  22. DutchIl said:
    09/27/2018 at 1:36 pm

    Thank you for sharing those lovely words and, may I say, lovely photo of you and the Monarch butterfly… the little butterflies name wouldn’t be Matilda by any chance would it ( Grasshopper near by perhaps)?.. 🙂 You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me in the gardens, yes?… 🙂

    Seen a few monarchs as of late as they start their journey south in search of their destinies…(will be starting Dog Bone Soup in the near future, been busy getting ready for fall and winter while the weather is pleasant…. )

    You and your family have a wonderful day, and weekend, and may every day be filled with happiness!!..

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      09/27/2018 at 7:16 pm

      Thanks so much for you lovely note, Larry… Max (thinner veins and black dots on hind wings and Matilda (of course, for my first girl)! As you can imagine, I was waltzing around for days after the these regal darlings eclosed–an absolutely amazing thing for me to witness this summer. Thanks so much for the note about DOG BONE SOUP. Like you, we’re very busy getting ready for winter (fall has indeed arrived) and we still have apples and winter squash to get in before final cleanup outdoors. Wood is all in and tonight will be our third fire ablaze in the wood stove night. 🙂 Wishing you a lovely autumn too!

      Like

  23. robbiecheadle said:
    09/27/2018 at 1:19 pm

    A really lovely haiku, Bette.

    Like

  24. Mae Clair said:
    09/27/2018 at 1:00 pm

    A beautiful haiku, and absolutely stunning photo! I like the author photo you added with the butterfly, too. Happy autumn!

    Like

  25. Annika Perry said:
    09/27/2018 at 12:15 pm

    Bette, a wonderful haiku easing us into the beauty of autum! I like the idea of the gate closing to summer, but an archway entrance to autumn … I am stepping forth and welcoming the new season. Actually, quite easy to do so with summer warmth here this week. BTW a lovely photo of you with the monarch butterfly. hugs xx

    Like

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