American Goldfinch:
a summer male,
a slender lemon,
sliding through slopes of air
in undulating arches
toward the settling sun.
Singing while flying,
calling attention
to his passing.
After his passing,
the evening quiet
settles back into place.
© 2017 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
rising through the dawn
a monument of mountains
collecting color
© 2017 Richard Havenga
Photo Location:
The wind rattles long rows of corn.
Deep green flags flailing in the fields.
Bobolinks appear,
disappear in deep grass.
Roadside wildflowers stretch for the sun;
measure the ripening of summer.
Great mounds of cumulus
shifting shape and size.
Wind leaves its tracks
on the surface of the lake.
My schedule is based on
what's going on outside;
and my creativity has the
entire sky to fly through,
whether blue or gray,
sunshine or rain,
combing the fields and woods,
scanning the lakes and streams.
I am out here.
Please join me.
© 2017 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan
The Arkansas River
wraps its silver arms
around cold boulders;
rushing, racing
for the foothills,
for the plains;
to meander for miles,
to settle its sediment,
to assimilate
in the Atlantic.
© 2017 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
4. Atlantic Ocean
Vermilion cliffs of sandstone
varnished with streaks
of earth's blood.
Ancient minerals
streaming down
at a rate of
inches per year.
© 2017 Richard Havenga
The next time
you find some
alone time
to be outdoors,
listen to
the deep silence
within your solitude.
You may hear
the echoes of creation
colliding with
the dome of the sky.
© 2017 Richard Havenga
In the morning,
I may go to photograph
the white water lilies
as they display their purity
upon the calm water
of a peaceful pond.
In the afternoon,
I may read some poetry,
or write some poetry
sitting on the deck,
while watching hummingbirds
hovering at the feeders.
In the evening,
I may watch the clouds
diminish with the light
as the ripples on the lake
carry a liquid reflection
for my admiration.
Tonight,
I may observe
a splinter of moon,
a splatter of stars,
and fireflies pulsing along
the dark edge of the woods.
This warm night in July
is what we dreamed of
last December.
© 2017 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Wabasis Lake - Michigan
2. Home - Cannonsburg, Michigan
3. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan
4. Home - Cannonsburg, Michigan
