While munching his vegetables,
While munching his vegetables,
is a caterpillar in a hurry
to be a butterfly?
Is he in a rush to drink
nectar from flowers
and give grown-up life a try?
Maybe he just wants to open
his brand new wings…and fly!
What’s more beautiful,
butterflies or the flowers
that give them nectar?
Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals,
environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve
Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia
Cute little python,
she swallowed a mouse.
She swallowed a mouse
’cause she lives at my house.
Hungry python,
She swallowed a rat.
She swallowed a rat
and grew long and fat.
Exotic python,
never does any harm.
I walk along South Beach
with her hugging my arm.
Growing girl python,
she swallowed a rabbit.
She swallowed a rabbit
’cause it’s her new habit.
Big strong python,
she squeezes too tight.
I’ll let her go free
in the Everglades tonight.
Twenty-six-foot python
she swallowed a gator.
She swallowed a gator
and got hungrier later.
200-pound python,
she swallowed a deer.
She swallowed a deer
when it came too near.
Monster python,
She swallowed a car.
No, not a car–
I wouldn’t go that far.
But mama python
and her hundreds of babies
are causing extinction
of native species.
I’ll be very careful
choosing my next pet,
and never, ever
abandon it!
Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals II,
an environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve
Copyright© 20018 by Cheryl Batavia
The Burmese Python is an invasive species in the Florida Everglades that is decimating native animals such as alligators, deer, rabbits, and tropical birds. Every year, a hunt is conducted to try to eradicate them. One snake that was killed had consumed two deer–a doe and her fawn. The size of this animal and what it devours is not exaggerated in the poem, though I really think it does not have a taste for cars! Having a Burmese python as a pet is no longer legal in Florida.
I’ll go with you to the symphony
to enjoy the harpist, horns, and tympani.
Will you walk on the beach at my side?
There’s a concert by gulls and rising tides.
I’d love to accompany you to the opera
and listen to the tenor and colortura.
One day, let’s visit the woodland clearing
to hear the arias mockingbirds are singing.
Sure! I’ll hang out at the jazz club with you
and groove to piano, cello, and blues.
Will you stroll with me under starry skies
as frogs and crickets harmonize?
Reprinted from Life in Inspiring Places
Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia
Photo by luizclas from Pexels
Walk with me beneath
a fortune cookie moon and
wish on every star.
Reprinted from Wonders
Copyright© 2018 by Cheryl Batavia
Sometimes,
wakeful in the dark,
stillness of the night,
I see regrets like birds
perched on a fence,
silently reproaching me…
I should have shown
more empathy.
I could have made
different choices.
There were opportunities
I missed.
I can truthfully say
I have few regrets…
I ‘ve lived a meaningful
life and worked to
achieve worthy goals…
So I go back to sleep.
In the morning, I wake
to sunlight streaming
in my windows and birds
singing all around me,
and my heart sings along,
ready to seize the day.
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
Gulf Coast Poet 