by Cheryl Batavia

Renewal

Vacant wooded lot next to our house before Hurricane Ian. Live oaks and native cabbage palms grew there. Purple Ruellia, probably planted by a homeowner twenty years ago, grew naturalized along the edge of the woods.

September 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian, the worst hurricane ever recorded in Florida, threw the trees from the wooded lot next door onto our yard and house.

Early October, 2022. Fallen trees were cut back to the property line. This is the horrific scene by moonlight…a battered, leafless oak tree and a tangle of fallen trees and broken branches.

December, 2022. Oak trees all over our region, stripped of their leaves by Hurricane Ian, were blooming and sprouting new leaves two months ahead of their usual schedule. The fallen trees were still alive and sprouting hundreds of new branches. Sun-loving wild shrubs were growing on the formerly shady wooded lot.

July, 2023. Nature has blanketed the fallen trees and broken branches in green vines. Beautiful Saint Augustine grass that was barely surviving in the shade of the trees has appeared in our side yard. Purple Ruellia flowers are reappearing along the edge of the former woods.

Nature has a long timeline. If no one builds a house on the lot, it will again be filled with oak trees. It might take 50 years! The largest and most beautiful oak tree that used to be there was probably much older than that!

July, 2023. Broken trees are cloaked in green leaves. Our house has a new roof. Exterior wall cracks have been repaired and walls are freshly painted. Interior hairline cracks still need repair and touch-up paint. It is difficult to find someone to do any work. Contractors continue to be very busy, even with some out-of-state companies still working here!

Our roads have traffic signals again, but, almost a year after Ian, there are many missing street signs. It is easy to get lost! We are still in suspense about how much our homeowner’s insurance may increase due to Hurricane Ian.

Mostly, we are grateful to be living in a comfortable, air-conditioned house as summer heat sets new records here and worldwide. Many people are not so lucky.

Now, is the time to address global warming! If I weren’t convinced of that already, the worsening storms, wildfires, heat waves, and floods occurring around the world this year would convince me!

Renewal

Profound are Nature’s powers to renew,

to hide, to heal, to grow, to colonize.

Transforming somber earth to verdant hue,

so silent does she photosynthesize!

But Nature’s timelines stretch so far ahead,

while human lifetimes pass so fleetingly.

Short-sighted humans know they’ll be long dead

before young oaks achieve maturity!

A green world is a legacy to leave.

Blue skies and seas, life-giving trees, clean air

the younger generations will receive.

Now, show the children just how much you care!

May Mother Nature, gowned in green and blue,

sustain the generations after you!

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

67 Comments

  1. Unknown's avatar

    Your home looks so great after surviving Hurricane Ian and so glad you are staying cool with the air conditioning Cheryl. Your poem is so lovely and tell telling of climate change and rightly shares our responsibility to the earth and our children, long after we leave the planet. Love it! ❣️💕✨👏

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Cindy, for your kind words. It means a lot to me that you like the post! ❤

      When did the climate crisis begin? Probably long before we were aware of it!

      I grew up clueless. Gradually we learned of problems with smog in California, acid rain in the Northeast. Then our beautiful, bucolic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia started to experience inversion layers in the 1970s, pollution from factories, and falling water levels from farm irrigation in the Shenandoah River. These things were known fifty years ago…Yet, here we are!

      Hang in there, Cindy! Wishing you and your family peace and happiness as you await two new arrivals! ❤ ❤ ❤

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        Long before any of us had a clue is right and now it’s spreading like well wildfire and hurricanes and tornados. Mother earth is mad, I’ll say.
        We continue on or plight and journey and take the action we can.
        Love and hugs to you and thanks my friend.
        It’s like xmas with the excitement but not having a day which I love💞💞💞💞

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Unknown's avatar

    That hurricane was bad. People still talk about it, right? Cannot forget.
    But now your house is keeping you safe and sound. I’m happy about this. Stay cool and hydrated please.

    The poem. Lovely. Love the rhythm.
    And, yes, may Mother,
    gowned in green and blue,
    sustain the generations after we are gone.
    Blessings. Thanks for posting. XoXo

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  4. Unknown's avatar

    We are powerless when it comes to nature. The shine of the green is the same. Nature will remain the same. Its us humans which care not. Sadly 😦
    Love the awakening poetry. We should indeed help the future generations understand. Thank you Cheryl for this poem.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      “if we will only allow it” That is the heart of the matter, isn’t it, Kate? Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! ❤

      I was astonished to see the leafless oak trees all around us recovering, blooming, and sprouting new leaves two months ahead of schedule!

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  9. Unknown's avatar

    Thank you for sharing all the interesting photos Cheryl and your “Renewal” poem resonates my feeling precisely … I pleased your house is nearly back to normal, cheers from Ivor and Frankie 🤗🌏😍🐶

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  11. Unknown's avatar

    There’s such positivity in this post, despite all of the destruction. Nature can heal itself, we just need to realise we are part of nature and stop trying to fight it! A lovely poem, too, Cheryl ❤️

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Ingrid, for your thoughtful and encouraging response. Your kind words made my day! ❤

      We are in the middle of a huge building boom here. Many of the people moving in may be some of the 4,000 people just south of us who lost their homes to Hurricane Ian. I believe it is a hopeful sign that people still want to live here. Maybe we can learn to do the right thing!

      Hope you and your family are doing well! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Unknown's avatar

    Yes, I had heard about Ian, and had also read your posts how devastating it was. But glad the situation has reached near normalcy. Your house looks great. And I truly appreciate the feelings expressed in the beautiful poem, especially the last five lines. So inspiring 💖

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      KK, I am so grateful for your kind response. It means a lot to me that you read and comment on my posts, and I am happy that you like the poem.

      We feel very lucky that things are returning to normal for us! 4,000 people just south of us have lost their homes, and businesses were also destroyed. It is fortunate that few lives were lost. Our area is in the middle of a huge building boom. Maybe it’s a hopeful sign that people still want to live here after Hurricane Ian! ❤

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  13. Unknown's avatar

    I still lived in Florida during Hurricane Andrew and I owned an insurance agency. We took several trips to Homestead to bring food and supplies. One of our clients was surprised when he saw an airplane in his yard that wasn’t there before.

    Mother Nature is beautiful when she’s at peace but when she’s angry best to stay out of her way. Mankind can’t control the earth. It will however control the world, for ‘world’ is a human construct. I feel the earth is fed up with mankind and the lack of respect.

    Fascinating photos and I am glad your lovely home withstood Mother Nature’s ire. 💕

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      I saw the devastation left by Andrew. We moved to Miami Beach just after that storm. At least it led to improved building codes. How kind of you to help out after that disaster! Thank you for sharing a bit of your experience. ❤

      Maybe you remember a margarine ad from long ago that said, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature!" We should have taken the hint! 🙂 The environmental problems continue to escalate and become more and more difficult and costly to fix. We feel very fortunate that our home withstood Ian and is nearly back to normal.

      Thank you so much, Eugi, for your kind and thoughtful comment. ❤ Hope all is well with you!

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  18. Unknown's avatar

    Simply loved your beautiful and thoughtful commentary about the philosophy of nature- that is it’s ability to regenerate herself. But humans are constricting her capabilities so much that she is getting furious with each passing day.
    The unbearable heat we faced here this summer was simply unprecedented, and now some places in India are receiving Monsoon rain of the entire year in just 24 or 48 hrs! The situation is eerily same every where around the world.
    Hel hath no fury than the nature scorned!How much she can tolerate?
    We can hope and pray that the entire human race work together to rectify the past atrocities and pacify her to calm down.
    Glad to know that you’re doing well Cheryl. My good wishes and greetings . Enjoy your weekend ❤❤❤

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you for your impassioned response, Mousumi. I agree with everything you have said. It is heartbreaking! The unnaturally high monsoon rainfall is really scary! I am sorry for the suffering in India.

      In Florida, we are also experiencing Mother Nature’s wrath. The record-breaking temperatures here are keeping us inside. People who must work outside are having heat strokes. Our coral reefs are being destroyed by high ocean temperatures. Most marine life depends on coral reefs.

      Heat-related deaths in US cities are soaring…storms, floods, fires, droughts, power outages, wildfires, and air pollution from Canadian wildfires…As you say, the disasters are worldwide! Humanity must learn to work together to solve the problems.

      The time to mend our ways may already be past, but I fervently hope it is not too late!

      Thank you again for your thoughtful remarks. ❤ ❤ ❤

      Take care! Wishing you a pleasant week ahead!

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. Unknown's avatar

    I love this post, Cheryl! I am concerned about the entire state of Florida being so vulnerable to storms, especially now. Good to hear you’ve gotten your home repaired. The heat here in AZ has been wicked, as you’ve probably heard on the news. I try not to think about the mess we’ve made & how it continues to worsen. It’s too depressing for me. (You know I’m a HUGE fan of Nature, too.) Each of us should be doing all we can to change the situation so that future generations have a chance. 🌞

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Lisa, for your thoughtful comment. ❤ I have seen news of the record-breaking heat in Arizona. I hope you are able to stay cool. Many years ago, my late husband and I visited the Desert Museum in 113-degree heat. I can't imagine it being worse than that, though in Arizona now and in many places on Earth, it is! Robert keeps reminding me that summer is half over! 🙂

      I hate the thought of leaving such environmental destruction behind for future generations! We must each do what we can, and we must learn to work together.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Lawrence, for your kind words. ❤ So glad you like the post.

      I enjoy living here, even though our internet provider is not very reliable, and we don't have city water and sewer. Our well has sulfur water, and we have an elaborate filtration system that Robert works hard to maintain.

      We still see a lot of wildlife even after the trees are gone. We saw a bobcat a few weeks ago. It was very exciting!

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  22. Unknown's avatar

    I’m sorry you had to live through such a fierce hurricane. But I also love how you highlighted the power of nature and it’s ability to rebuild after destruction. It gives me hope that the earth will be able to after all the damage humans have done.

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  23. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl, thank goodness you were all okay in the hurricane but sad you had so much damage. Both your garden and house look fresh and renewed through hard work. You are correct in that nature is a mighty force in its own renewal and these past years more than ever highlight the impact of climate change. I love your poem which reinforces our responsibility of the legacy to the next generations – ‘Now, show the children just how much you care!’. Indeed! xx

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  25. Unknown's avatar

    This is a wonderful post, Cherl. The hurricane was really devasting, but it is amazing how nature comes right back. I smile when people say we must save the earth. I think they will need to worry about saving themselves before nature takes over and leaves them behind!

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