Month / July 2022

by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Bipolar

Photo by Ivana Cajina from Unsplash.

Bipolar

Comforting sun that warms

can also burn.

Summer showers cool and soothe,

but lightning strikes sometimes.

The honey bee that captivates

can inflict a painful sting.

Cheery words spoken today

may become tomorrow’s curses.

Decisions are made,

changed, and changed again.

Promises are made

but not always kept.

Friendship smiles today,

but it may weep tomorrow.

As difficult as our friendship is for me,

what hell it must be for my bipolar friend!

Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia.

Mental Illness

Mental illness occurs in many forms. It can be very difficult to deal with someone who is mentally ill, but I believe they deserve our empathy and compassion. We may need to maintain good boundaries for the sake of our own sanity. It may help us in dealing with those who suffer from mental illness to remember that their illness is not their fault, and they may have little control over their feelings and behavior. They deserve professional help, and they deserve our understanding and support.

by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Bluebird of Happiness

The Bluebird of Happiness given to me by my sister. Photo by Cheryl Batavia.

Blue Bird of Happiness

My mother admired the glassmaker’s art;

the Bluebird of Happiness sang in her heart…

mesmerizing, sparkling, azure,

the iconic bluebird was Mom’s treasure.

To me, the bluebird was gaudy kitsch,

not something for which I’d ever wish!

My sister, however, had a different view

of the iconic collectibles in blue.

When the glassworks stopped operation,

my sister stocked up in anticipation

of spreading a lot of happiness around.

She offered me a bluebird; I turned her down.

One morning, having changed my mind.

I told my sister, if she would be so kind,

I would like a bluebird after all.

She certainly wasn’t expecting that call!

My sister sent me a bluebird in the mail,

and every morning, without fail,

like my mother and sister before me,

I hear the bluebird’s cheerful melody.

Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia

My Itty Bitty Ad in The New York Times Magazine

by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Don’t Worry!

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi from Unsplash.

Don’t Worry!

My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes;

most of which never happened.

__ Michel de Montaigne

I have been through some terrible things in my life,

some of which actually happened.

__Mark Twain

Photo by Alyssa Stevenson from Unsplash.

There will be an answer…let it be!

__Paul McCartney

Don’t worry…be happy!

__Bobby McFerrin

Photo by Jessica Felicio from Unsplash.

🙂 Good News! 🙂

Robert has undergone a new treatment and is doing well enough that his surgery was cancelled. Yay! The doctor said he could reschedule the surgery if symptoms recur.

My son’s rent had nearly doubled in the last two years and is going up again. There was very little available in Florida that he could afford. He was approved for an apartment, and he and his service dog, BABY will be moving in August to Louisiana, where rents are more affordable. I had hoped that he would be able to live near me, but it is good that where he is moving is within a couple of hours of his sisters. My son will be stopping by for a few days on his way to his new home. I will be happy to spend a little time with him.

❤ Thank You! ❤

A heartfelt thank you to all of my fellow bloggers for your concern and support during this difficult time. Robert and I will always remember your kindness.

Cheryl Batavia