Category / Love

by Cheryl Batavia

Walking Hand-in-Hand

Photo by Roman Kraft from Unsplash

Walking Hand-in-Hand

Walking hand-in-hand…

Even a short stroll with you

means the world to me!

Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Robert’s 2024 Birthday Poem

Last September, recently discharged from the hospital and recovering from quintuple bypass heart surgery, I had very limited energy. Robert’s birthday was in a few days. I always write poems and make cards for him for his birthday and Valentine’s Day. “Well, I think I can write a haiku, at least!” I decided.

My recovery includes a daily walking program. Because of Robert’s COPD, post-polio, heart problems, and other issues, Robert can now only walk short distances. Many times he walks a short way with me, and I continue the walk on my own.

Having Robert walk with me brings me happiness and encouragement. This is the poem I wrote for Robert’s birthday and printed out on white copy paper…no handmade card this time. I put it on his computer keyboard where he would find it when he woke.

I was hospitalized again in November to stent two of the grafts that had become blocked. By Valentine’s Day, though, a longer poem and a handmade card were back! Robert keeps all of the cards I make in his office. He even kept this haiku printed out on plain white paper…and I keep all the cards he has ever given me!

by Cheryl Batavia

Hurricane Milton

Photo of a hurricane by NASA from Unsplash

Hurricane Milton

Monster storm approaching

from the Gulf of Mexico…

Days of rain and wind,

watching hurricane news…

endless models and predictions.

Considering our options,

we decide to shelter in place.

Gusty winds howling

around the corners of our house,

blowing rain against the windows,

dry palm fronds falling.

Darkness descends, storm subsiding.

Power fails;

we go to bed early.

Soothing breezes rustle trees.

Ecstatic the worst is over,

talking, laughing, loving

by the glow of a tiny flashlight.

Lying in bed, holding hands,

enjoying bands of thunderstorms,

last vestiges of the hurricane.

Grateful to be alive,

happy we still have each other.

No TV, no internet, no phones…

Our thoughts turn

to the people northeast of us,

wondering how they fared

in the path of the storm.

Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia

Epilogue: After the Storm

A week later, our power returned, and we became aware of the devastation in nearby cities and communities. Milton was a major hurricane. Due to storm surge, high winds, and numerous tornadoes spawned by the category 3 storm, people in several states lost their homes, businesses, vehicles, and boats. Roads and other infrastructure are damaged or destroyed. More than a dozen people lost their lives.

Electrical, roofing, and general construction companies, military personnel, and relief workers from many states have come to help those who suffered losses in Hurricane Milton. There are many heroes in our region in 2024!

This poem was written shortly after Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida on October 9th. I was on break, and didn’t post it.

Robert’s sister and daughter visited for three days last week. We wanted to take them to a nearby beach, but beach restoration is still not finished. A tsunami-sized wave had washed sand up on the beach higher than the two-story restaurant where we had lunch. The bulldozers are still leveling sand, and the beach is still closed!

by Cheryl Batavia

Sharing Nature’s Wonders of the Night!

Image by Susana Cipriano from Pixabay

Sharing Nature’s Wonders of the Night!

Sunset afterglow,

crescent moon, evening star,

rosy horizon,

dark-silhouetted palm trees.

Hand-in-hand we stand, transfixed!

Radiant full moon

rises in magnificence

through twisted branches

of an oak in silhouette.

Hand-in-hand we stand, beguiled!

Bright stars and planets

shimmer in enchanted night.

A droning chorus

of cicadas sing love songs.

Hand-in-hand we stand, in awe!

Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Happy Valentine’s Day, Robert!

Nature’s wonders,

shared with you,

forever enhance my life!

❤️

Happy Valentine’s Day

to all My WordPress Friends!

May you share nature’s wonders

with those you love

all the days of your life!

❤️

by Cheryl Batavia

Nature’s Love Songs through the Seasons

Egret. Photo by Trevor John Williams on Unsplash

Nature’s Love Songs through the Seasons

Love songs on balmy, tranquil nights…

Crooning crickets’ cheerful chirping,

tree frogs’ soothing, silvery songs

commence the symphony of spring.

Oak tassels shed golden pollen.

Cardinal serenades his mate.

Warmer days are growing longer…

What cozy nests the birds create!

Cicadas emerge from slumber,

soon shed their shells, and spread their wings…

Cicadas’ perfect synchrony…

the noisy chorus summer brings!

Pollinating trees and flowers,

yellow butterflies, buzzing bees.

Fledglings, confident in their flight,

feast on ripe acorns and berries.

Now, the days are growing shorter,

chilly when the sun is gone.

Love songs are borne on winter winds.

Lovers greet morning’s rosy dawn.

Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Early Signs of Spring on the SW Gulf Coast of Florida

Last night, on our lanai, I heard the music of crickets and tree frogs. This morning, I saw a live oak tree in bloom, its golden tassels gleaming in the warm sunshine.

Fall arrives around the New Year here, and spring begins in February. Summers are hot and rainy, with temperatures almost never above 95 degrees. From June to October is hurricane season.

Winters are mild and sunny with little rain, and our population swells with “snowbirds,” people who spend the winters here. We generally have a handful of cold days in January, but it doesn’t snow. Most years, it doesn’t freeze.

by Cheryl Batavia

A Sonnet for Cindy: A True Story of Recovery

Photo by Alexandra Gorn from Unsplash

A Sonnet for Cindy: A True Story of Recovery

Recovering from surgery, I sat

bemoaning Florida’s rare frigid days.

No matter where we set the thermostat,

I couldn’t get warm; I was cold…always!

Too cold to get up, two days in my bed,

too cold for walking in drizzling rain!

I pulled the covers way up to my head,

binge-watching movies to forget my pain.

The next day, I sat in my easy chair,

reading Celebrating Poetry;

I found encouragement and comfort there,

and Cindy’s kind words motivated me.

Next day, warmer, I walked in the sunshine,

and, thanks to Cindy, I knew I’d be fine!

Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Celebrating Poetry is an insightful and inspiring book by Cindy Georgakas. Cindy’s beautifully expressed poems challenge us to examine our perspectives and to live our best lives.

For the full story of my illness see “The Colors of My Life,” https://gulfcoastpoet.com/2025/o1/27/the-colors-of-my-life/

by Cheryl Batavia

We Mourn Our Losses

Photo by Jamie Street from Unsplash

We Mourn Our Losses

Yesterday, I heard a loud commotion outside the window. I arrived just in time to see, silhouetted against the sunny sky, screaming birds pursuing slightly larger birds as they rose high in the sky. Then I noticed the mangled nest!

Sadly, I had witnessed a similar scenario before. A dozen years ago, I saw two angry mockingbirds repeatedly attacking a much larger osprey who was carrying their chick to its nest on a pole high above the parking lot. It was a hopeless situation for the mockingbirds, but they continued to attack.

Though I didn’t get a clear view of the birds yesterday, I am pretty sure the nest raider was a blue jay, known for preying on cardinal chicks.

Soon all was quiet. I saw the male cardinal pausing at the edge of the woods, silent now, and looking back toward the ruined nest as if to say goodbye. Cardinal family, you are in my thoughts. I share your sorrow, and I will always remember being privileged to witness your loving family life for an all-too-brief period.

I was too distraught to write about these devastating events yesterday, but this morning, it occurred to me that, even among humans, this is nature’s way. Many human children are victims of accidents, cruel diseases, famines, and wars not of their making. Many children die too soon. Today, I grieve for all the lost children, both animal and human.

We Mourn Our Losses

Joys and sorrows shared.

Births and deaths both nature’s way;

we mourn our losses.

Love makes us vulnerable…

both animals and humans.

by Cheryl Batavia

Hearts & Minds

Photo by Onur Binay from Unsplash.

Hearts & Minds

So cool, so clear, so deep your streams of thought,

unsullied reason flowing through your mind.

So warm, so pure, so true your heart is wrought,

like tender sunshine, glowing soft and kind.

Between us, conversation ebbs and flows,

engaging both enlightened mind and heart.

So like the sun is love, the warm heart knows

thoughts come from cooling springs where rivers start.

While you and I may differ on some points,

the heart does not demand that minds agree.

Our discourse always blesses and anoints.

Our hearts remain conjoined; our minds are free.

Long may our hearts pulsate in synchrony,

between us cool streams flow unceasingly!

Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia

This poem was written for Robert for Valentine’s Day and published in New Lyricist magazine, Issue 01, EIF Publishing, Ingrid Wilson.

Photo by Patrice Bouchard from Unslpash

News from the Palm Palace

The Palm Palace is a busy place this week. The Queen’s weeks of keeping the eggs warm are over; the eggs hatched on Sunday. The King has appeared, feeding insects to the tiny hatchlings. More news to come about the Cardinal Royal family.

by Cheryl Batavia

Cardinals at the Palm Palace

Photo of male cardinal by Patrice Boucher from Unsplash

Photo of female cardinal by Joshua Cotten from Unsplash

Cardinals at the Palm Palace

Three small eggs,

pale blue flecked with brown

in a nest

made with love,

so exquisitely woven,

softly lined with grass.

Like a queen

in your palm palace,

self-assured

on your throne,

faithful cardinal mother

keeping your eggs warm.

We watched you

weaving your fine nest,

discovered

your blue eggs.

Pretty Mama, we share your

anticipation!

Very soon

your handsome husband

will help you

feed hatchlings…

King and Queen in your green realm,

reigning together.

We will watch

as hatchlings become

fledgelings, sprout

new feathers…

wobbly, but growing stronger,

flapping tiny wings.

Sometime soon,

comes the day they fly.

Under the

watchful eyes

of their parents, they’ll practice.

Soon, they’ll fly away!

We will watch

flapping tiny wings,

self-assured.

Someday soon,

King and Queen in your green realm…

Soon, they’ll fly away!

The cardinals’ nest, the “Palm Palace” is located among the fronds in the back of the tree on the left. We have a clear view of the nest from the window.

Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia

Northern Cardinals

Northern cardinals live in North America. They are the predominate bird in our neighborhood. A pair of cardinals have a nest in our little palm tree that is clearly visible from our window. The mother bird is sitting on three eggs.

From my research, I learned that they raise two families a year. I think this is the second nest. We have not seen the father yet. He is probably at the first nest feeding the hatchlings while his wife is sitting on eggs in the second nest. When the eggs hatch, he should be here to help feed the hatchlings their diet of insects.

Robert and I made a feeder, hung it on a shepherd’s crook, and filled it with black oil sunflower seeds, supposedly the favorite treat of cardinals. We also put out water on a stand. So far, there is no evidence that the birds are using it. Thank you, Joanna of naturetails, for your advice on providing both food and water.

I meant to post this before Easter, but WordPress problems have slowed me down. Anyway, I hope everyone had a happy Easter and a lovely weekend! I am getting the computer problems worked out, but I still may not be able to “like” for a while. I appreciate your patience.

by Cheryl Batavia

February

February

Warm, sunny day.

Oak tassels sway

in the spring breeze…

It’s enough to make you sneeze!

Soon palms in bloom

will spread sweet perfume.

My Florida pride…

Sentiment leaves me teary-eyed!

Pollen is in the air,

love is everywhere.

Cupid is at play…

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia

To My Fellow Bloggers:

I have missed you. First, my 2013 computer died. I bought a new computer and got data transferred from the old computer. Two days later, our internet went off and stayed off for 10 days! No grocery deliveries, no TV, no computer, no house phone…When the internet came back on, I had 695 Emails. We are in the middle of many medical appointments, both for Robert and for me. I am also involved in a project that has been delayed by having no internet. I don’t think I will be up to speed for some time, but I will do my best!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

by Cheryl Batavia

Daisy’s First Dance

Photo by Ghenadie Cebanu from Unsplash

Daisy’s First Dance

If you’re looking for perfection,

Please don’t look in my direction.

Even if I could achieve it,

no one ever would believe it!

This corner is my protection.

My foolish gaffes and confusion

bloom like daisies in profusion.

There’s not even the faintest chance

he’d ask this wallflower to dance.

I’ve come to that sad conclusion…

Daisy! I thought long in advance…

you might not want to take a chance…

that I could trip over your feet…

Oh, Danny, you’re so very sweet!

How nice that you asked me to dance!

Photo by Lance Michael Pahang from Unsplash

*This poem is fiction, but it accurately reflects some of my own youthful insecurities.

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

https://a.co/51DGEok

Amazon Review

Earthly Days Update

My Dear Fellow Bloggers,

Earthly Days in paperback and in the Kindle edition is now immediately available on Amazon, shipping in 1-2 days. It is also available on Barnes & Noble.

The paperback, because of the many color photos, had to be priced at $18.99. The Kindle edition, because it has no printing costs, is priced at $2.99. I priced the Kindle edition as low as possible to make it easy for all my fellow bloggers to enjoy the book. I would be ecstatically happy and eternally grateful for any reviews you submit, and I will share them on my blog as I have shared the review above.

Below is the Preface and Acknowledgements page from Earthly Days. I have recognized my WordPress friends for all you mean to me. Every poem in Earthly Days is better because of the experience, knowledge, and inspiration gained from my fellow bloggers. I am deeply grateful. Thank you so much for your support.

Thank you to those who have generously written such outstanding reviews and interviews. Your work is being used as a resource by my publisher in marketing Earthly Days. Your assistance in helping to launch Earthly Days is invaluable, and will be remembered always!

Wishing you Health, Happiness, and Success,

Cheryl Batavia