Morning Stars

Stars are still sharp
in the western sky,
but beginning to fade
under the approaching 
light of dawn in the east.

I come outside early
wanting to catch 
the first note of birdsong
announcing the start
of another glorious day.

Dawn softly speaks 
three words:
Wait.
Watch.
Listen.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

last crow

last crow of evening

a silhouetted silence 

rushing home to roost

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Parnell, Michigan

Within

Deep within you, dear reader,
can you feel that holy place;
a small sacristy, a little temple
illuminated from within?

Have you entered there lately,
to feel the warmth of the light
waiting to give you the gift
of inspiration?

Will it help you answer the desire,
accept the honor
to create beauty
in your world...

and find a suitable way
to recognize it,
to celebrate it,
to share it?

Now, your invitation:
Open the gift,
receive the light,
and grow in the way of grace.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Golden Gate Park - San Francisco, California 

John Ruskin

Photo Location:  Petty's Bayou, (Petty's) Spring Lake, (Spring Lake) Michigan (Michigan) 

Light

"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; 
whoever follows me will have the light of life." John 8:12

"Live as children of light..." Eph. 5:8

"To love beauty is to see the light." ~ Victor Hugo

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan  

2. La Jolla, California 

3. Gallatin Range - Pray, Montana 

4. Santa Catalina Mountains - Tucson, Arizona 

Heart of Ice

night walk through the woods

winter moon with heart of ice

tree shadows on snow



Photo Location:

Home Woods -  Cannonsburg,  Michigan



lifestream

Drifting willingly
upon this current
of language...

Are you floating 
with acceptance
on the surface?

Can you let go
and slide easily
between boulders?

Do you wish for
a long, smooth ride,
or a meaningful one?

Within your 
strong current of faith,
do you patiently await the blessed hope?

Will you acknowledge
his gracious guidance
as you are carried...

upon this lifestream?

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Blackfoot River - Missoula, Montana  

2. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado 

3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming  

4. Rock River - Dixon, Illinois 

Garments

These living green garments
clothe the earth
with a legacy of leaves.
Their shapes and sizes
bring surprises to attentive eyes
from a seemingly endless
collection of creativity.

Why such extravagance?
What form will the next miracle take?
Where is the next discovery to be found
when looking around your surroundings?

As science keeps explaining,
I see more mysteries
remaining.

More than I will ever need
within a lifetime of looking.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Manatee Park - Fort Myers, Florida

2. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County, Michigan

3. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County, Michigan

4. Fallasburg Park - Kent County, Michigan

5. Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan


Plant Identification:

1. Live Oak, fern & Spanish Moss 

2. Pond Lily

3. Cattail - 

4. Cow Parsnip - 

5. Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 

Whisper

"Job assumed that anybody who listened to creation 
would hear the whisper of the creator."

~ Scott Russel Sanders 

    essay: "Tokens of Mystery" -  book: Secrets of the Universe © 1991




Photo Location: 

San Pedro River San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area 

Sierra Vista, Arizona