Receptive

Under the thin shade of palo verde
my thoughts are carried
through quiet desert air.

The world beyond
slowly empties from my mind.
I am learning how to  concentrate, 
pay attention to God's creation,
and share it with you;
and now I invite you 
into this poem,
to witness...

how this light breeze
kisses the soft lips of poppy petals;

the way sunlight splashes the
foothills scattered with Saguaro,

or reddens the sandstone ridges;

to recall memory's 
silent treasures
being brought to light;
every year is
full of days being born,
again, and again;
all those yesterdays
giving birth to today
with hope for tomorrow.

What we see in nature is 
borrowed from our gift of days.
Carried now 
by the quiet music of poetry
into gentle souls, 
receptive and richly blessed.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Catalina State Park - Tucson, Arizona 

2. Saguaro National Park - (West) - Tucson, Arizona

3. Pusch Ridge Wilderness - Ventana Canyon - Tucson, Arizona

daybreak

I close my curious eyes
for long seconds,
then quickly open them
to see again
the discernible change,
the expanding light
along the broad margin 
becoming daybreak;
announcing:

the hope that comes 
with dawn,
and the blessing
of this new day.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Wintering

Common Mergansers

still finding fish in winter

now searching upstream

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Big Sable River - Ludington State Park - Ludington, Michigan 

Cawing Crows

Crows are communicating
across wide acres of woods.
Cawing out suggestions
along the familiar route
established by the elders.

I listen intently,
trying to translate
and decipher the message,
but their language 
remains mystery.

All I know for sure,
is their steady,
rowing flight pattern,

their cooperation
in efficient flocks,

and their unforgettable feathers
glossy with blackness.

© 2015 Richard Havenga 

Photo Locations:

1, 2, 3, 4,  Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

5. Estero, Florida

Van Gogh

" Perhaps I shall begin to look about for greens." 

~ Vincent Van Gogh (to his brother Theo)

from: letters edited by Irving Stone (1873-1890)

book: Dear Theo - © 1937 by Irving Stone



Photo Locations:

1. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County, Michigan

2. & 4. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County, Michigan

3. Gunnison, Colorado

Hope

Photo Location:

Rocky Mountain National Park ~ Colorado