Climax

The river's silky, curving torso

rubs up against the solid land,

then is carried to its climax,

blending into the ocean of sighs.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Crested Butte, Colorado 

2. Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming 

3. Pacific Ocean - Carmel-By-The-Sea, California 

Watching and Waiting

I am waiting for the slow, silver
approach of dawn,
and the birth of this new day:

Watching the arms of sturdy, old oaks,
arched and etched
in morning silhouettes.

The hint of color in wildflowers
before they're painted with light.

Anticipating the first notes
of birdsong before they're sung.

These many gifts of creation
waiting to be opened, 

and another chance
to tell about them.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Bindweed - Gun Lake - S.W. Michigan 

4. Wood Thrush - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Giving Clouds

This morning,
spring wildflowers,

with their short, vivid lives,
resemble time passing by.

This afternoon,
I witness the benediction
of rain upon the land.
Holy water sprinkled
from giving clouds.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Round-leaved Hepatica - Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan

3. Spring Beauty - Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan 

4. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado 

Fingerprints of God

Finding the fingerprints
of God
has become a moving,
and deeply devotional experience.

He was here in the morning...

then here in the afternoon...

and over here in the evening.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 2, & 3. Grand Teton National Park

Readers Write at WWFN

Readers and viewers of Walk With Father Nature:

It's your turn to write. 

After contemplating this photograph, please submit your poem (any length) or Haiku (5-7-5 format). 

Click to enlarge.

Place it in the comments section at this site, on my Facebook page, or preferably, by email:

RichMaryH@gmail.com            subject heading: "Submit"

The winner will become a guest blogger at WWFN , and the winning entry will be posted at:

Walk With Father Nature.

Good luck. Good skill. 
Take your time. 
Be inspired. 
Be receptive. 
Revise.

Gratefully,

~ Richard Havenga

And the winner is...

Tom Conley - Denver, Colorado
Here is Tom's poem:

I Know This Place

A place where my body can rest

A place where my soul can be blessed

A place to worship my Lord

A place so loved and adored

It is here where I can wipe away my sin

It is here that with God I know I can win

It is here I will always find peace

It is here with prayer my pain will cease

© 2016 Tom Conley

Congratulations to Tom Conley, who has visited this historic church in Colorado, and promises to return again.

memory

another year gone

the memory of seasons

recalling God's gifts

another year gone

the memory of seasons

recalling God's gifts

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Lilley Lake - Michigan

2. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

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

4. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Your Voice

In loving memory of Aaron Richard Havenga 
April 2, 1975 ~ November 20, 1994


Now, after two decades,
it's difficult to recall
the precise and precious
sound of your voice.

The relentless passage of time
has muted from my memory
the sound of your spoken words;
like sand accumulated on the shore,
like songs of birds gone for the winter.

When I'm outdoors,
I still sense your presence:
on a hiking trail, your easy pace;
your long stride when running a race;
the kind eyes that warm your face;
your admiration for a mountainous place.

When I write about you,
my eyes still burn
with tears that confirm
my love for you.
Is this a sign that verifies
a brief, but true connection?

The day sky still arches above,
as when it brightened your way,
but the deep longing lingers.

The constellations remain the same,
as when they amazed your nights,
but the loss becomes a suffering love.

Familiar birds return each spring,
but the sound of your voice...
nothing.

A precious gift
has been lost.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Beverly Beach State Park - Newport, Oregon 
2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
3. Allegheny National Forest - Pennsylvania - 1994