Cold to the Bone: Poems by John Bates

Bates' poems express what it means to belong to the natural world, to attempt to be a "card-carrying" member rather than an intruder or merely a tourist. The intersection of science and spirit is where these poems reside, and while they offer depth and insight, they ask an equal number of questions.

This is Bates' first book of poetry, but it comes on the heels of 22 years of publishing seven non-fiction books of observations in Wisconsin's Northwoods. The book is divided into three sections: Water, Woods, and Home. In every one, a mindful appreciation lights the way, along with a heartful resonance to the communities of life that we all live within.

John Bates is the author of seven books and a contributor to seven others, all of which focus on the natural history of the Northwoods. He's worked as a naturalist in Wisconsin's Northwoods for 27 years, leading an array of trips all designed to help people further understand the remarkable diversity and beauty of nature, and our place within it. John won the 2006 Ellis/Henderson Outdoor Writing Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers for his book Graced by the Seasons: Spring and Summer in the Northwoods. He has served on the Board of Trustees for the Wisconsin Nature Conservancy and the Wisconsin Humanities Council, and now serves on the Board of the River Alliance of Wisconsin, the Board of the Northwoods Land Trust, and the Board for the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame. John and his wife Mary live on the Manitowish River in northern Wisconsin where they raised two daughters.

Mary Burns expresses her love of northern woodlands and waters in her weavings and writings. An award-winning weaver, her work resides in private homes across the United States. Mary creates tapestries and felted work that reflect the hues and patterns of the natural world. Her jacquard looms allow her to craft her work in even greater detail, vibrancy, and character. She has displayed her work in art exhibits and shows including several art and science collaborations, and has received many awards.