April and May
in Michigan:
a slow dance with green.
First the early wildflowers
emerge from warming soil.
Then the understory
fills with Honeysuckle
and Black Cherry saplings.
Along the edge of the woods,
Redbud and Flowering Dogwood.
Finally, in the canopy,
occupying oaks
produce a profusion
of buds swelling into leaves,
inviting migrating warblers
to lunch in their twigs.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Trout Lilies - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
2. Honeysuckle - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
3. Flowering Dogwood - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
4. Red Oak canopy - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
5. Chestnut-sided Warbler - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
