Day-by day, we live on earth.
Face-to-face and virtually, we greet each other.
Eye-to-eye, we often see.
Toe-to-toe, we engage in friendly competition.
Side-by-side, we work together.
Arm-in-arm, we walk along.
Hand-in-hand, we share life’s journey.
Moment-by-moment, we face life’s uncertainties.
Heart-to-heart, we know we are not alone.
Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia
Happy Valentines’ Day to all my WordPress Friends
&
to my Best Friend, Robert!
Our little world envelops us in love,
transcending chaos that surrounds us now,
safe haven from earth’s dark duplicity,
a green oasis, peace in desert heat.
Affection in your eyes, my hand in yours,
a gentle word, a loving touch…encouragement
along our earthly path’s uncertainties.
Your inner strength sustains my fainting heart.
When threats of war surround on every side…
vile pestilence, pollution, and unrest,
ambition fades, possessions matter less,
but love endures and blooms, a desert rose.
Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia
Like the Shakespearean sonnet, BLANK VERSE is a sixteenth century form of poetry written in iambic pentameter. Unlike a sonnet, blank verse is unrhymed. It was used extensively by Shakespeare in his plays and is found in the work of John Milton and other poets of that time.
Robert’s cataract surgery is scheduled for February 1st, and the hectic schedule of appointments begins. I may be very erratic on WordPress in February. Thank you to all who sent good wishes to Robert.
A barefoot wanderer on the sands of time,
moment to moment, no reason or rhyme,
searching for a message in a bottle along the shoreline,
but pebbles on the beach were all I could find.
Looking for the light of my life, year after year,
I sang along with the music of the spheres,
seeking someone to sing with me as we embark,
two-by-two onto an archetypical ark.
I rowed my small boat…on dry land I planted my feet.
Miracle of miracles, soon we were dancing cheek-to-cheek!
All was bright where once were darkness and strife.
I smiled at you, the light of my life!
From each rising sun to the next rising sun,
on top of the world, under the gun,
or tossed by capricious seas, we’ve had a good run.
We’ve sailed life together, and it’s been fun!
Hand-in-hand on the beach we walk as before;
a message in a bottle washes up on the shore.
With hearts aflutter and chaos of mind,
we uncork the bottle, unsettled by what we find.
With the music of the spheres our hearts are attuned,
but the message in the bottle portends impending doom.
It says, “Tis a short voyage from cradle to tomb.”
We face an epic tidal wave…The end has come so soon!
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
While some look for easy answers,
you thirst for knowledge
and seek truth.
While some are at war with themselves
and their neighbors,
you live in peace.
Some struggle to keep track of their lies.
You simply tell the truth…
You have my trust!
You say you love me
and show it every day.
I love you too.
Though life is filled with challenges,
you face each day with good humor,
a smile, a joke, and a wink.
If I am sad, you make me smile.
When good things happen to me,
you share my joy.
When something breaks, you fix it.
I never have to do the dishes alone…
That means a lot to me.
You were not born to make me happy,
but every day is a happy day
because I’m with you.
I don’t believe in fate, but it does seem
to me that we were made
for each other.
Robert, wishing you lots of happiness
on your seventy-third birthday
and always.
Love, Cheryl ❤
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Wakeful
in the dim light
and stillness of morning,
I lie beside you, listening
to your breathing, holding your hand.
You turn over and sleep.
Warm and drowsy,
I doze.
I dream
you take my hand,
and together we rise
toward peaceful oblivion…
I waken suddenly…Not today!
Today, cardinals sing
their cheery songs
outside.
Today,
the grass is green.
In anticipation
of sunrise, ruellas open,
glowing purple in golden light.
Today belongs to us.
Oblivion
can wait.
Today,
the sun comes up.
I drink my tea and write.
You are sleeping, but when you wake,
we will spend the day together.
Today belongs to us.
Oblivion
can wait.
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
We are in a holding pattern at our house. Robert’s cataract surgery has been postponed because of an infection in a root canal. The infection, which didn’t show up in dental x-rays, was finally discovered with a 3-D scan. After the root canal is redone, antibiotics, and no infection for several weeks, cataract surgery can be rescheduled. Thank you for understanding if I am a little erratic on WordPress for a while.
Present with me or
absent from me, you are
always in my thoughts.
However long I may live,
I will always feel you near.
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Photo by Jonathan Petit from Unsplash
We laughed in the rain
as we walked to the oak tree
half a century ago.
Stolen kiss in summer rain…
I hope life’s been good to you!
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Hearts to you, WordPress Family!
You are empathetic and kind,
characterized by warm hearts
and open minds.
Perceptive and thoughtful,
in touch with your muses,
writing words of wisdom
that creativity infuses.
Photos and videos illuminate
humanity, nature, historical attractions.
Music is a multicolored source
of daily satisfactions.
Hearts to you, fellow bloggers,
you mean a lot to me.
Happy Valentine’s Day
to my WordPress family!
May the love and joy
you give away
return to you
each and every day.
May all of your dreams
and wishes come true
May all of your endeavors
bring success to you.
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Roses are red,
violets are blue.
I’ve always wanted
a Valentine like you!
Roses are yellow,
violets are white.
I’ll put on my red dress…
We’re going out tonight!
Roses are pink,
violets are yellow.
I’m your kind of girl…
You’re my kind of fellow!
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Going out is postponed until after the pandemic,
but we will enjoy a cozy dinner at home!
Learning
rythm of place,
the passage of time here.
Ever-changing seasons roll by…
one year.
Mindful,
we have lived here,
sleeping, dreaming, waking
in a world of endless wonders,
our home.
Grateful
for sun rising
and setting in splendor,
waxing and waning of the moon,
bright stars.
Peaceful
domain of green woods,
play of light and shadow.
Whispers of breezes, songs of birds
soothe us.
Wisdom
from wild creatures
making their living here
in profusion of simple joys.
Serene.
Peace lives
under our roof.
Love lives within our walls.
Windows frame nature’s spectacle…
souls soar!
Our home…
solace from cares,
sphere of the mind and heart;
dreams and desires find fulfillment
within.
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Although we had planned never to move again, we left our beloved home near the beach and moved inland to escape red tide. This poem celebrates one year in our new home as of February 17, 2021.
Gulf Coast Poet 