Clinging

Here in the desert,
my words evaporate
too quickly in the
glare of the sun.

Back home in Michigan,
my words accumulate;

settling 
softly, 
silently,
piling up
on paper.

Clinging to memories.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Slowly Falling Snow

As the falling snow 
quiets the day,
and softens 
the edges of this life,

I sit in my chair,
watching the winter
passing slowly,
watching the snow
falling slowly,
watching my life
passing briskly.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Tuxedo Creek - Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Arizona Nights

Arizona nights

mesmerized by desert stars

and coyote calls

Photo Location: Orion ~ from: Catalina, Arizona 

Destination

The evening grows quiet.
The quiet melts into silence.

A suitable time for
a prayer of praise.

Words of worship
penetrating the clouds,
ascending the atmosphere;

already accepted
along the way
to their final
destination.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Ohio Creek Rd. - Gunnison, Colorado 

Ballet Beneath the Stars

She was hoping the clouds would clear,
was waiting for darkness to arrive.

Waiting for the stars to begin
their silent, distant dance.

Ready to begin her own alone dance,
to the silent music playing in her head;

with no one in the universe watching,
except, perhaps, her guardian angels.

Under this glittering galaxy,
a ballet beneath the stars.

Grace and gratitude.
Close enough to feel.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Art Prize ~ 2013 -Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Orion ~ from Catalina, Arizona 

Into Tomorrow

Allow your eyes
to celebrate with
the land you live in.

Follow the arc of the sun,
the curve of the seasons,
the slow path of patient stars,
the grasses and trees 
dancing with the wind.

Be present
as time unfolds.

Carry with you
into tomorrow,
all that today offers.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Centennial, Wyoming 

2. Longmont, Colorado 

3. Dayton , Wyoming 

January Fields

silent as moonlight

in a January field

fox tracks in the snow

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan