Consumed by the heat of your body,
like the firebird,
I rise from the ashes.
Seduced by the powers of your mind,
I recreate myself
and fly away with you.
Reprinted from Wonders
Copyright© 2018 by Cheryl Batavia
(with sincere apologies to Mark Twain)
In the middle of a snail population explosion,
inspired by Mark Twain’s short story,
“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of
Calaveras County,” we planned a snail race.
We thought snail races would be more fun
than frog races…longer to cheer,
longer to observe snail behavior,
and longer to shoot a snail video.
Calaveras County frogs get only three jumps…
Snails take their own sweet time
Keesha’s strategy to win the race
was to choose the largest snail.
Seth just wanted to shoot a snail video
and win an award at the county fair.
Jo planned to lure her snail with lettuce.
Clarence thought his snail would win
if he cheered louder than anybody else.
Clarence didn’t know snails can’t hear.
My strategy was to learn a lot about snails.
I did research. I drew a diagram and
labeled the shell, the foot, and the eye stalks.
I studied hard so I could pick the best snail;
I was sure my snail, Speedy, would win!
On the day of the snail race, we drew
two concentric circles on the tile floor.
Keesha had chosen a gigantic snail.
Jo had her lettuce ready.
We all put our snails in the center circle.
The first snail to leave the outer circle
would win the race. “Go, Speedy!” I whispered.
Seth had just started videoing the race
when Clarence began to cheer.
Even though snails don’t have ears
and can’t hear, they feel
sound wave vibrations
with their lower tentacles…
All the snails retreated into their shells!
“Shhh!” we told Clarence.
Speedy came out of his shell first.
Keesha’s giant snail had decided
never to come out again!
Jo’s snail was moving very slowly
away from the lettuce, leaving a slime trail
as it crawled into the outer circle.
Speedy certainly was fast, but he
couldn’t seem to move in a straight line;
he careened aimlessly around the outer circle,
leaving little silvery squiggles behind him.
Jo’s snail was about to cross the finish line.
Clarence couldn’t keep still any longer
and began cheering again for his snail.
Jo’s snail stopped immediately, just inside
the outer circle, and pulled into its shell.
Speedy was so smart, he finally wandered
outside the circle and won the race.
If you don’t believe me, you can watch
Seth’s video at the county fair.
After the race, we released the snails
far away from vegetable gardens.
Keesha’s giant snail finally came out of its shell.
Clarence apologized for making noise.
We washed the snail slime off our hands
and enjoyed an ice cream party
to celebrate Speedy’s big win.
Maybe someday, I’ll write a story,
“Speedy, the Celebrated Racing Snail
of Miami-Dade County!”
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
Inspired by a snail race in a sixth grade science class I taught in Miami. I am considering adding illustrations and developing this into a book for young readers, ages eight to twelve.
Peaceful manatee
grazing in Crystal River,
suckling your calf.
Friendly manatee,
Red Tide and boat propellers
are lurking dangers.
Playful manatee,
wintering in the hot springs,
hanging out with friends.
Threatened manatee
swimming in warm Gulf waters…
Keep away from harm!
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
West Indian Manatees, distant relatives of elephants, are found in the Southeastern United States. Antillian Manatees live in Central and South America. Another species is the African Manatee.
If I say I made my own luck, it may not be so.
Maybe someone helped me, and I didn’t know.
When I fell on my face, I could have been
sabotaged by someone I thought was my friend.
Though I’ve tried to help my fellow man
and do good deeds whenever I can,
I know I’ve made enemies inadvertently,
and maybe helped others in ways I can’t see.
I’m sure there were times that I was blind
to the needs of others; it weighs on my mind.
I’m sure I wasted energy trying to see
if somebody else was out to get me.
Life’s about making the world a better place;
it’s not about fighting to win the race
to the top of the ladder or to the bank
or sacrificing integrity for power or rank.
I take compliments with a grain of salt,
and being blamed doesn’t mean I’m at fault.
The opinions of others have merit, but…
it’s sometimes better to go with your gut!
If I’m out there seeking a pat on the back,
It may be best to forget about that!
Accolades I receive may not be
the most reliable measure of my humanity.
Reprinted from Life in Inspiring Places
Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia
Sunshine on waves is an exciting show
for our daughter Katey and our son Joe.
Miami Beach is the perfect place to swim!
Mom and Dad keep an eye on them.
Zooming by slower folks is just great
for two little daredevils on roller skates!
It’s the nineties. Skating is all the rage
for rollerbladers of every age.
The warm sea breezes are pure delight.
We’re dining on Ocean Drive tonight…
pizza and ice cream in a sidewalk cafe,
people passing in an endless parade.
Coming in, like a wave, is a happy mood.
We’re listening to music and feeling good.
Mom and Dad still have dessert to eat…
Joe and Katey are dancing in the street!
Reprinted from Life in Inspiring Places
Copyright 2019© by Cheryl Batavia
Our family lived in Miami Beach for seven years in a 1940 Art Deco style house. We christened our house, inhabited by a dog and two very active children, “Bedlam on the Beach.” Miami Beach is a wonderful city with beautiful beaches, historic Art Deco buildings, great restaurants, and lots of interesting things to do.
On a lonely path,
watched by creatures of the night…
unknown, imagined…
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
A “fraidy” old lady at the Pompano shore
was afraid to wade, but not anymore!
Her ankles tickled when the little fish nibbled.
Their bite was so light, the old lady giggled,
“Why didn’t I try this before?”
Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals III,
an environmentally-themed book series for readers eight to twelve
Copyright 2019© by Cheryl Batavia
This limerick tells a true tale about an old lady…me. The fish bit hard enough that it almost hurt, but not quite! My sister treated me to a fish pedicure when I visited her. It was a very similar experience!
Woodpecker,
powerful bird…
pecks his lunch!
Does your head ache,
Woodpecker?
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
There are many pileated woodpeckers living in the woods near our home. Sometimes I can watch one from my window.
Shh…Genius at work!
Except when you’re not…
not genius, I mean!
Creativity
has inexplicably fled…
vacated the scene!
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
It’s a conundrum!
Oh! what’s a poet to do?
Quick! Write a haiku!
Post a photo…no, post two…
That’s it, genius, you’re all through!
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on Unsplash
In the morning when I wake,
I walk through the quiet house,
opening the blinds to green, leafy views.
Sun shining through the trees,
lighting up the flowers,
birds on branches singing, butterflies.
The sun streams in, revealing
dust on the chest of drawers,
cobwebs on the ceiling fan.
Time for a little housekeeping…soon.
I settle down to a cup of tea.
In the morning stillness,
I open the blinds of my heart,
gathering inspiration for the day.
The light shines in,
revealing the struggles and triumphs
of other people in the world.
Time to dust off compassion,
time to sweep doubts
and lingering grudges away.
Time to polish creativity
and beautiful thoughts
to see me through my day.
As daylight fades,
I walk through the quiet house,
closing the blinds.
We sit down to a simple supper
and enjoy some time together.
Then I close the blinds of my mind
and quiet my thoughts.
Time to rest…and dream.
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
Gulf Coast Poet 