embracing winter

embracing winter,

Queen Anne's Lace holds pure crystals

undisclosed beauty 

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Midnight Stage

Try to measure the great gaps
between the stars;
the width, the depth of the universe.

Within this eternal theater,
the black curtain of night
reveals familiar constellations.

Orion and Cassiopeia,
accent these winter skies
on this calm, cold night.

You are invited to watch 
the silent performance 
of ten-thousand stars 
burning on this midnight stage.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Meditation

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Winter Fields

The simplicity of snow
levels these winter fields
that wait in frozen patience.

Fields ready to
believe in the promise
residing within the dark soil.

Fields that welcome
the planting of seeds
to hold and nurture.

Fields longing for
the baptism of
warm spring showers.

Fields anticipating
the germination and
resurrection of new life.

Fields prepared for
the return of growth,
truth, and acceptance.

Fields eventually offering
a bountiful harvest of
abundant blessings.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1 & 2 Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 - Grattan Township, Kent County, Michigan

Waiting

Waiting for opportunities
for the wind to carry you;

You being the outstretched 
wings of a hawk. Its feathered resistance
riding the updrafts higher and higher.
Inscribing invisible ovals into the air,
traceless in a transparent sky.

You being the silken, feathery fibers
of the milkweed seed, 
parachuting horizontally
toward a new horizon, 

to wait over winter 
for promised germination,
hoping for conditions that will allow
growth.



You being the patient person
waiting for your life to become
what it is meant to be;
richer than it is, 
soaring to new a vision,
growing with inspiration
from the Spirit within.

©2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Lincoln Lake - Kent County, Michigan

2. Lafayette, Colorado

3. Grand River Nature Area - Ada, Michigan

Gesture II

As the first breath of dawn
gently touches the leaves,
I listen
to these woods whisper a 
welcome to the morning:

"Thank you for this glorious, 
life-giving light,"
they seem to pray.

Praise may sound like this.
Who is to say?

I close my eyes;
now a willing participant
in this overheard prayer,
this graceful,
grateful gesture.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy "gestures" - August 11, 2014

Photo Locations:

1. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming 

2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

Opportunity

Birds cast their songs
into the silence of dawn
to open a new day,
a new opportunity
to display their gifts.

To merely be present
is an opportunity
for acceptance;
for gratitude
for gifts
given.


As crystals melt
from the sharp edges
of translucent ice
enclosing this winter creek,

a Black-capped chickadee
lightens your morning 
with cheerful loyalty.

As a silver fog
veils the wet woods,
and dissipates
with the rising sun,

an Eastern Meadowlark,
yellow breast to the sun,
throws his joyful voice your way.

As the dew,
gathered overnight 
on silken threads,
evaporates
with the morning breeze,

a Song Sparrow
welcomes you
to his solo performance.

To merely be present
is another opportunity
for acceptance;
for gratitude
for gifts
received.

Do you have one hour
of this one  morning
out of your one life?

© 2015 Richard Havenga 

Photo Locations:

1. Bear Creek - Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan

2. Chief Hazy Cloud Park - Ada, Michigan

3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Grattan Township, Kent County, Michigan

5. Ada Township, Kent County, Michigan

6. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan