joining

slender willow twigs

joining lake and marbled clouds

touching the future

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Cascade Township - Kent County, Michigan 

silk and dew

get down in the grass

to see these superhighways

made of silk and dew

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan 

Woven

While walking
within the quiet,
I was gifted
with the golden threads
of a Canyon Wren's call
woven into the air
between canyon walls.

Just that one long song.
Then I was embraced
by silence
again.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Listen to the Canyon Wren call from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Photo Locations:

1. Bryce Canyon National Park - Utah 

2. Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Black Shadows

A Turkey Vulture is
hanging on a stiff wind,
tilting, turning, trying
to adapt 
to an undetermined course.

These black shadows
of wide wings,
a shallow V
slicing the air,
gauging the gusts.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: Grattan Township, Kent County, Michigan

crocus confidence

freezing rain and snow

followed by drizzly mist

warm afternoon sun

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

Foundation

The dark bones of the trees,
these tapered branches,
rattle in the breeze,
begin to flail as the 
relentless wind
pushes harder. 

Even the tall trunks,
solid at the base,
sway at their tops,
giving in,
accepting the will
of this storm
that cannot last.

Like the suffering
loss of a loved one,
the winds will 
eventually, recede.
The roots holding
a firm foundation
of faith. 

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2.  Minooka, Illinois

Holy Water

April rain showers
bring a shine to these
winter-weary woods.

Moles resume their
muzzling push through
moist and softened soil. 

Mayapple stalks
probe, pierce, and lift
layers of leaf litter.

These spring showers,
like holy water,
bless the earth awake.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1 - 4 = Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

You Can Write Haiku

and now it's your turn

to try to write a haiku

about this photo

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Please use the traditional 5 - 7 - 5 method.

After you've revised your haiku into your best writing, please email it to me @ 

richmaryh@gmail.com

I will select the best haiku and publish it (with this photo) at WWFN in the near future. 

Photo Location: Crooked Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

The Three of Us

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


Aaron: Before you were born,
we held your sister Sarah,
and loved her deeply.

You can see in the photos
how the three of us wanted 
a baby brother for her.

Then you were born,
and our joy was multiplied.
Our family complete.

Mary and I watched
the two of you play together;
always together,
making your own fun.

Sarah loved you deeply.
You loved her too.
You took care of each other.

We took care of you and Sarah.

Somehow, nineteen years sailed by,
and you passed from this life.
Your sister now brotherless;
your parents counting the years,
carrying a suffering love for you. 

The three of us carrying on, 
carrying our memories of you
deep in our hearts.

Because we carry
the Spirit of God,
which dwells within us. 

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photos 1 - 6 by Mary Havenga, from Sarah Havenga's collection.