Saturday, December 30, 2017

The Apostrophe Catastrophe

Some people's
use of the
apostrophe
is a catastrophe,

but you're not 

among those writers,
because your skills
are more refined.

It's not that hard,
really, to remember
when and where
to hang this
little hook:

dangling up there

joining friendly letters;

taking the place

of i in it's,
it is especially
beneficial;

or shyly

possessing things,
like the poet's words
on New Year's Eve;

or humbly 

substituting itself 
as a contractor 
in word construction,
when other punctuations
can't, or don't,
or simply won't
accept responsibility.

The apostrophe 

has no feelings of  
superiority to its
lower cousin 
the comma,
it's merely 
doing its job,
in the place it belongs,
overseeing things,
bringing meaning
to this lovely language
that's ours.

It is always eager 

to help its letter friends 
become words.
That's why it's there, 
to be useful
to you and yours.

It has always,
always loved
s the best,
don't you agree?

Now that we're 

in agreement,
we are able
to move on,
are we not ?
© 2017 Richard Havenga



Photo Location: Catalina, Arizona 


Thursday, December 21, 2017

Arching


A fine frost filigrees
the dead grasses
still arching with 
grace and light;



still noticed
by the old poet
absorbing all he can
during the winter of his life.
© 2018 Richard Havenga


Photo Location: McCarthy Lake - Kent County, Michigan


Monday, December 18, 2017

Willet



It seems the Willet
never gets its fill, it
advances into the wavelet
then retreats upshore, it
never seems to stop. 


Will it?



© 2017 Richard Havenga



Photo LocationsSunset BeachNorth Carolina  


Thursday, December 14, 2017

Stratosphere



my attention soars
high into the stratosphere
arcs of rainbow light
© 2017 Richard Havenga


Photo Location: Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan 

Monday, December 11, 2017

Something to Keep ~ Something to Give Away



I'm watching the wind
instruct an infinity of leaves.
Seeing the water move
as the wind teaches it.
Observing the sunlight
dancing with silver clouds.



Please come along with me,
so I may help you hold
these moments in time.
Preserving for you
the power of a poem
which you can share,
and return to again,
and again.

Begun in self-expression
as an extension of my aging self,
now offered with humility:

this new invitation

to recognize the evidence
of the Spirit within you.

Igniting your curiosity
and desire to witness
the natural world,
and to enter this 
meeting ground
between writer and reader.

Walking through and living in

this holy realm of creation.
Meditating within 
this lyrical landscape.
Offering you something to keep,
something to give away.

© 2017 Richard Havenga


You may also enjoy: Wind Song ~ June 8, 2016


Photo Location:

1. Council Bluffs, Iowa 



Thursday, December 7, 2017

The Giver of Gifts



I've been profiting
from my inheritance.
Collecting quarterly dividends:

Spring. 
Summer.
Autumn.
Winter.



My investments are
performing so well,
that I am now able
to offer to you
a large portion 
of these profits.



Please accept 
this free offer
with no obligation.



I only ask that you also invest:
seek, explore, pay attention,
and share your own discoveries,
as well as these.



You may also consider
giving thanks to your
maker, wonderful counselor,
the creator of your 
inheritance.

The giver of gifts.
© 2017 Richard Havenga


Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
2. & 4. Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan
3. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan




Monday, December 4, 2017

Roof of Stars


Each night,
before going to bed,
he stepped outside
to check the sky.

On clear nights
he would wait
under the roof of stars,
hoping to witness
a meteorite.

If one streaked
across his view,
he imagined it to be
a special message
from his son, 
waiting up there,
for him to join him.
© 2017 Richard Havenga