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Solitude

Time for reflection…

a small space for solitude

brings me peace of mind.

Reprinted from Life in Inspiring Places

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Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia

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Fountain of Youth

Thirty years ago,

I drank from the Fountain of Youth

discovered by Spanish explorer,

Juan Ponce De Leon,

in St. Augustine, Florida.

The only change I noticed

was the taste of sulfur in the water!

My hair continued to turn gray;

the wrinkles deepened in my face.

If there were a Fairy Godmother

granting wishes to all who drink the water

at the Fountain of Youth,

I wouldn’t wish for hair dye

or a face lift or clothes

from the trendy store in the mall.

I wouldn’t ask to be fluent

in the latest slang…

These things can’t bring back youth!

If there were a Fairy Godmother

granting wishes to all who drink the water

at the Fountain of Youth,

I’d ask to have a youthful outlook…

Curiosity to continue learning,

Idealism to envision a better future,

Creativity to express our dreams.

Passion to work for positive change.

Yes, Fairy Godmother,

I wish to THINK young!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Candy Box

A gold foil candy box

was my treasure chest;

candy was a sweet gift,

but the box was the best!

I filled it with love letters

and treasured photos

collected over a period

of five years or so.

I carried the box around

for more than fifty years.

This year, the box fell apart,

and I didn’t shed any tears.

I looked at the photos,

read the letters once more,

put them all in the trash,

and walked out the door.

We moved to our new house,

vowing we’d never move again.

Memories fade, but the photos

and letters are burned on my brain.

I remember a boy with slicked-back

hair and a crooked grin

and a handsome football player

who wanted me to marry him.

Then there was a fearless boy

who helped me learn to drive

and several others who

passed through my life.

I put the box away

when I married at eighteen…

and now the mementos are gone,

but the memories remain.

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Transitions

As vapor in clouds

condenses and turns to rain,

so may I adapt.

As wind carries seeds

to faraway locations,

let me move forward.

As soil welcomes seeds,

may my mind be receptive

to new ideas.

May sunshine relentlessly

enlighten me, mind and soul!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Behind the Scenes

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

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Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia

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Eyes in the Night

On a lonely path,

watched by creatures of the night…

unknown, imagined…

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Genius at Work!

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!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on Unsplash

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Blinds

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.

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Be Remembered Well

To be remembered well,

live well. Do praiseworthy deeds

in your time on earth.

Reprinted from Life in Inspiring Places

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Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia