Alone

The older man you saw sitting alone
on the shore of Lake Michigan was me.

You may have noticed my running shoes were off.
I had already run five miles that morning.

Did you notice how quickly I scanned
the sharp line of the western horizon,
with my head, with my eyes?

Left and right, back and forth,
trying to discern the slight
curvature of the earth.
So slight, but perceptible.

Feeling the immensity
of our planet.

Alone, but not lonely.
Sitting on the soothing shore.

Content to write a few words
on a scrap of paper found
in my back pocket.

While my bare feet
grade the soft sand
warmed by the September sun.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

North Beach Park - Ferrysburg, Michigan

You may also enjoy six Haiku @ "Photo Haiku ~ Michigan"

Fragments of Poetry 21

"... the pine trees 
were brushing themselves
against the sky
as though they were painting it, ..."


excerpt from the poem: "Thinking of Swirler" 
from the book: Evidence by Mary Oliver © 2009


You may also enjoy: 

Fragments of Poetry 20 ~ February 28, 2018

Fragments of Poetry 19 ~ November 28, 2016



Photo Location: Buena Vista, Colorado

rich flame burning within

May you grow
rich
from a wealth of
curiosity;
ignited by the
flame
of the Holy Spirit
burning
with creativity
within
your soul.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy: "Something to Keep ~ Something to Give Away" - Dec. 11, 2017

Photo Locations:

1. Grand Mesa National Forest - Colorado

2. Our Lady of Light Catholic Community - Estero, Florida 

The Windows of St Patrick's

While sitting in the wooden pews,
in our beautiful country church,
with the windows open to summer,

I can see fields of corn and soybeans;
rows of apple trees rolling up the hills;
the pastor's stone house built in 1910.

When the sun shines through in any season,
the stained glass windows come alive with color,
bring Bible stories alive for the congregation. 

The wedding at Cana.

The birth of Christ.

Jesus enters our hearts.

His body and blood;

available as we share the bread and wine. 

The Bread

The Wine

We witness his birth.

We witness his death. 

His Resurrection. 

We accept the Holy Spirit living within us.

Focus on the meaning of the crucifix.

You may also enjoy:

 "The Bells of St. Patrick's" ~ May 14, 2015
"The Steps of St. Patrick's" ~ November 6, 2017


Photo Locations:

St. Patrick's Church of Parnell & Rectory

* All photos © Richard Havenga

Silent as Clouds

When the Holy Spirit
calls from within
my soul,

-- and asks me to speak
a few words:
gratitude, admiration --

praise enters my mind,
exits through words
unspoken.

Silent as these clouds
carried through the blue space
between earth and heaven;

between admiration and gratitude.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Yosemite National Park - California

2. McCarthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan  

Jacob

When Jacob awoke from his sleep,

"Surely he thought, the Lord is in this place,

and I was not aware of it." ~ Genesis 28:16

Photo Location: 

Provo, Utah

Early Autumn Stage

As summer settles
into September,
asters and goldenrod
accept the invitation
for this month
of transition.

Yellow and gold,
purple and lavender,
assume their places
on this early autumn stage.

In the background,
from the percussion section;
acorns and hickory nuts
begin to pound the ground,
zip through layers of leaves,
bounce off the inverted canoe.

And in the evening,
as the air cools,
crickets slow their song.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

2. & 4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Dust of Summer

Silken sheets of rain
massage the shoulders of trees.

Leaves lay lower
accepting the shower,
rinsed of the dust of summer.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

2. Chief Hazy Cloud Park - Kent County, Michigan

3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan