
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

What a delightful poem Cheryl! 💙 🐦 thank you for sharing 😊 have a wonderful weekend ❤️
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Thank you very much, Ingrid. Hope you and your sons enjoy a wonderful summer vacation. ❤
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Thank you, Cheryl: I am sure we will, as we live in such a beautiful place 💚
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Beautiful poem Cheryl!
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Thank you, Sheereen, for your kind comment! Glad you liked the poem. ❤ Have a beautiful day!
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Beautifully penned.
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Thank you so much, Chitrangada! I am happy that you enjoyed the poem. ❤
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The story behind and center of this is heartfelt. And the poem just so lovely. Now you have a lovely bird I sing for you every morning. How lucky. Enjoy. XoXo
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Selma, thank you so much! The bluebird brightens my day and is a connection to my faraway sister and our late mother. Your kind response is deeply appreciated! ❤ ❤ ❤
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This is super. I loved the poem as much how it is described in the ad. Apt and a reason for joy.
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Thank you, Narayan, for your heart-touching remarks! they mean a lot to me. Have a wonderful day! ❤
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What a beautiful memorable poem, Cheryl ! Loved it. And congratulations for your book 🎉 Have a lovely weekend 🎉🎉💐
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Thank you, KK, for your lovely response. I deeply appreciate your kind comments. ❤ Hope your weekend is going well! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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You’re welcome always, Cheryl 😊💖
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aw too sweet … I had a similar experience with a ‘kitsch’ sugar bowl 🙂 But a singing blue bird sounds rather special 🙂
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Thank you, Kate. ❤ It's the little things that serve as a remembrance of happy times and a connection to loved ones far away. I'd love to see a post about your sugar bowl! ❤ Have a beautiful week ahead!
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got one about whales coming up soon Cheryl … have a great week too 😉
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I look forward to your whale post, Kate! ❤
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Beautiful poem, Congratulations on your book! Maggie
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Thank you so much, Maggie, for your kind words. ❤ Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
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Ah, I love it – the bluebird, the changed mind and the wonderful poem!
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I love this poem and beautiful sentiment Cheryl!
What a wonderful way to keep your sister close at heart!!
💕
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What a beautiful poem and a lovely heartfelt story. Your bluebird is beautiful and cheery and I feel it has found its rightful place with you. Congrats on the ad. ❤️
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Lovely. Experiencing a bit of reverse at the moment having to deal with all the hundreds and hundreds of kitsch items in my mother’s estate. I took a few “bluebirds” if you will for the remembrance, but overwhelmed with the rest. Looks like your sister knew you would come around ha!
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Such a delightful verse and such heartfelt sentiments, Cheryl! The bluebird looks so pretty! ❤️ Congratulations on the ad. Have a lovely weekend.❤️
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Thank you, Punam! Your lovely response made my day! ❤ All the best to you and your family! ❤
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Always a pleasure, dear Cheryl. ❤️
Thanks for your best wishes. ❤️
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It seems gentle reminders of those we love come in many forms: kitchy and not-so-kitchy. Both are welcome in my house, too!
Good luck with the ad response! What a bold move, Cheryl – brava!
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Thank you, Laura, for your kind, encouraging comment. ❤ It is deeply appreciated. Have a wonderful week!
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You, too!
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I love this one, Cheryl. Funny how our perspective of things change with time.
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Thank you, Dwight. I believe you are correct about perspectives changing! I think that is partly because as we age, we care less about how others may view us. So happy you like the poem, Dwight! ❤
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You are very welcome, Cheryl.
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Moving, good to see writing about items of sentiment. Best wishes.
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Thank you, Lawrence, for your lovely comment! Best of luck to you! 🙂
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how very, very, very sweet Cheryl!
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Thank you so much, David, for your very sweet response! ❤ 🙂 ❤
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I love how you tell the story through your wonderful poetry Cheryl ❤
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What a nice thing to say, Henrietta. Your kind words made my day! ❤ All the best!
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This is such a sweet poem,Cheryl. The picture of the blue bird is also perfect. Thank you for sharing this charming poem.❤️🙂
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My pleasure to share. 🙂 Thank you for your lovely response, Smitha. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed the post. ❤
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That is so sweet ❤😃
Love that bluebird. Hope you’ll continue to hear the bluebird’s cheerful melody.
Have a lovely weekend, Cheryl. Love & Hugs.
How’s Robert Doing? And did you find the apartment?
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Ritish, your kind words touch my heart. ❤ I am happy to report that my son will be moving to his new apartment in Louisiana the first week in August. He will be visiting me for a couple of days on his way there. I wish he could be closer, but he will be closer to his sisters there, which is a good thing. 🙂
Robert has avoided having the surgery with a new treatment. We are glad about that. Thank you for asking. ❤
Thank you for your good wishes. Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well! ❤
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That is some good news Cheryl. I’m happy he found his apartment, and don’t worry, he’ll always be close to you.
And I’m sure too this new treatment for Robert will work out.
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Never say to a “blue bird ” I will never love you,, 🙂
I like very much your poem, Cheryl
Love ❤
Michel
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Thank you so much, Michel. Your comment made me smile! Have a lovely day!
Love<3
Cheryl
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I have just read your reply above . I am happy to read those good news.
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Thank you, Michel. The stress is a lot less now knowing that my son has an affordable place to live and that Robert has avoided surgery. You and Janine, take good care of each other, and continue to be happy!
Love ❤
Cheryl
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What a sweet poem affirming the right to change our minds! I have a glass bluebird like this one in my kitchen window, along with many other colored glass figures and bottles. I love how the light shines through them.
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Thank you for sharing your love of colored glass and your ownership of the iconic bluebird, JoAnna! I also like colored glass vases, dishes, and now the bluebird in the sunny window. 🙂 So happy you enjoyed the poem. ❤ Have a great day!
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Wonderful ad. Congratulations Cheryl and good luck.
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Thank you so much, Rupali, for your kind words! They are deeply appreciated. ❤
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Such a lovely poem. The feelings in the poem really touched me.
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So happy to know you enjoyed the poem, Veena. Thank you for your beautiful response. ❤ All the best!
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Thank you so much, Jeff, for your kind response. ❤
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what a lovely poem Cheryl.
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